Macrotis
Genus of desert marsupials known as bilbies or rabbit-bandicoots.
Macrotis is a genus of desert-dwelling marsupial omnivores known as bilbies or rabbit-bandicoots, members of the order Peramelemorphia. At the time of European colonisation of Australia, there were two species: the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) and the lesser bilby (Macrotis leucura), the latter becoming extinct in the 1950s. The greater bilby survives but remains endangered, currently listed as a vulnerable species.
- field
- Marsupial omnivores
- known_for
- Large ears, backward-facing pouch, burrowing behavior
- species_count
- Two (one extant, one extinct)
- extant_species
- Greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis)
- extinct_species
- Lesser bilby (Macrotis leucura)
- conservation_status
- Vulnerable (greater bilby)
Lore & Background
The genus name Macrotis means 'big-eared' in Greek, referring to the animal's large, long ears. Troughton recognised three species names, including one highly variable population with six subspecies. The family's current name Thylacomyidae is derived from an invalid synonym Thylacomys, meaning 'pouched mouse'.
Reader's Guide
Bilbies have the characteristic long bandicoot muzzle and very big ears that radiate heat. They are about 29–55 cm long, with a tail around 29 cm. Compared to bandicoots, they have a longer tail, bigger ears, and softer, silky fur. They are nocturnal omnivores that do not need to drink water, obtaining moisture from food including insects, larvae, seeds, spiders, bulbs, fruit, fungi, and very small animals. Unlike bandicoots, they are excellent burrowers, building extensive tunnel systems with strong forelimbs and well-developed claws. The female's pouch faces backwards to prevent dirt from entering while digging. Gestation is about 12–14 days, one of the shortest among mammals.
Did You Know?
- The greater bilby is on average 55 cm long, excluding the tail, which is usually around 29 cm.
- The term bilby is a loanword from the Yuwaalaraay Aboriginal language of northern New South Wales, meaning long-nosed rat.
- Bilbies have a gestation of about 12–14 days, one of the shortest among mammals.
More in Marsupials 1-24
Elsewhere in the Marsupials universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record