Eastern Bettong
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| Eastern Bettong[1] | ||||||||||||||||
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| Bettongia gaimardi (Desmarest, 1822) |
The Eastern Bettong (Bettongia gaimardi), also known as the Southern Bettong and Tasmanian Bettong, is a bettong whose natural range includes south-eastern Australia and the eastern part of Tasmania.[1][3] Following the introduction of the Red Fox, it became extinct on mainland Australia around 1890.
[edit] Diet and Behaviour
The Eastern Bettong is a nocturnal animal. During the day it sleeps in a nest it constructs out of grasses and leaves. A major component of its diet is underground fungi related to truffles, but it is also happy to dig up roots and tubers as well. Insects and grubs are also eaten when encountered. It is unique in that it will travel up to 1.5km from its nest to a feeding area, which is a considerable distance for a creature that rarely exceeds 2kg in mass.[4]
This bettong's habitat is open woodlands at altitudes between sea-level and 1000 m. (The highest point on Tasmania is at 1617 m.) The bettong usually nests in dry open eucalypt forests and grassy woodlands, sleeping during the day in a domed, grass nest that is well camouflaged and built by collecting nesting material bundled and transported it in its curved prehensile tail[5].
Like other bettongs, the Eastern Bettong is a continuous breeder with a gestation period of only three weeks they produce young all year.[6].
[edit] Threats
While the mainland population became extinct in the final years of the 19th century, the Tasmanian population has been regarded as secure. One concern is that most of the bettongs are found on private land, with only two groups found within reserves. A major threat to this population has resulted from the deliberate (but illegal) introduction of Red Foxes to Tasmania in 2004. If foxes become common in Tasmania, it is likely the Tasmanian bettongs will face a fate similar to that of the mainland population.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Groves, Colin (16 November 2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 57. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
- ^ Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group (1996). Bettongia gaimardi. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006.
- ^ Rose, R. (1997). Metabolic rate and thermal conductance in a mycophagous marsupial, Bettongia gaimardi. The World Wide Web Journal of Biology 2: 2-7.
- ^ Department of Primary Industries and Water (August 2006). [1] The Tasmanian Bettong]. Department of Primary Industries and Water.
- ^ Department of Primary Industries and Water (August 2006). [2] The Tasmanian Bettong]. Department of Primary Industries and Water.
- ^ University of Tasmania, School of Zoology. [3] Profile of Tasmanian Bettong]. University of Tasmania.
