Bilby
| Bilbies | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Peramelemorphia |
| Family: | Thylacomyidae Bensley, 1903 |
| Genus: | Macrotis Reid, 1837 |
| Species | |
The bilby (also known as the rabbit-eared bandicoot) is a rabbit-like marsupial. It lives in deserts, dry forests, dry grasslands, and dry shrubby areas in Australia. The bilby's pouch faces backwards. These big-eared, burrowing mammals are in danger of extinction.
The bilby, like all bandicoots, is a nocturnal animal (most active at night). Digging with its strong, clawed feet, this solitary mammal excavates long, complex burrows. Its underground dens are up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long.
At Easter, chocolate Easter Bilbies are sold as an Australian alternative to the Easter Bunny.[1] Money raised from the sale of the bilby shaped chocolate is used to fund protection for the bilby.
References [change]
- ↑ "Haighs's Chocolates: Environment". http://haighschocolates.com.au/our_company/environment.html. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
The bilby likes to eat insects and fruit, they can dig their burrows up to 2 metres deep and 3 metres long.
