description Burrowing Bettong Overview
The Burrowing Bettong (Bettongia lesueur), also known as the boodie, is a small nocturnal marsupial in the family Potoroidae, native to Australia. It is the only macropodiform species known to construct and inhabit extensive communal warren systems. Once widespread across arid and semi-arid mainland Australia, populations were eliminated during the 20th century due to predation by introduced red foxes and feral cats combined with habitat changes. The species survives on offshore islands off the Western Australian coast, including Bernier and Dorre Islands in Shark Bay, and has been reintroduced to selected fenced reserves on the mainland.
help Burrowing Bettong FAQ
What is a Burrowing Bettong?
The Burrowing Bettong, Bettongia lesueur, is a small nocturnal marsupial from Australia. It is also commonly called the boodie and belongs to the family Potoroidae.
Why is the boodie called the Burrowing Bettong?
It constructs and lives in extensive communal warren systems. These connected burrows provide shelter for groups of bettongs during the day.
What makes the Burrowing Bettong unusual among marsupials?
It is the only known macropodiform species that builds and inhabits extensive communal warrens. Macropodiforms include animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, rat-kangaroos, and bettongs.
Is the Burrowing Bettong active during the day?
The species is primarily nocturnal, so it usually emerges to forage after dark. Its daytime behavior is closely linked to sheltering in its communal burrow systems.
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