Have you ever heard of the rufous bettong (Aepyprymnus rufescens)? Also known as the “rat-kangaroo,” this small marsupial typically weighs around 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg)—about the size of a rabbit! This nocturnal critter can hop like a kangaroo and might cover up to 2.8 mi (4.5 km) in a night while searching for food such as herbs and fungi.

via amnhnyc

Photo: duke_n, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist

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#photography
#Australia
#marsupials
#bettong

Marsupials are underrated Australian survivors. It’s time to get to know them better

A small golden animal with shovel-like claws swims through the red sand of Australia’s central desert in pursuit…
#NewsBeep #News #Headlines #AU #Australia #australiananimals #bettong #dunnart #evolution #itjaritjari #kangaroo #mala #mammals #marsupialmole #marsupials #mulgara #nationalscienceweek #scienceweek #stripedpossum #timflannery #underratedanimals
https://www.newsbeep.com/59065/

A bettong bewildered by bagging

Photo is a bettong that has been caught by researchers. The good news is their population has maybe tripled over the last few years in Australia's largest nature preserve that is free of introduced predators - it has 45km (28mi) of 1.8m (just under 6') tall fencing to keep it that way. Just 3 years ago they were reintroduced to... #bettong #boodie #science #research #conservation #nature #wildlife #newhaven #marsupial #woylie #extinction #species #sanctuary

https://kbin.social/m/[email protected]/t/1070537

Northern #bettong #genes reveal low #genetic diversity, complicating protection measures.

#biodiversity #conservation

https://phys.org/news/2023-06-northern-bettong-genes-reveal-genetic.html

"Reintroducing the bettongs should see a cascade of positive effects. The bettongs are prolific diggers, with one single animal moving between 2-6 tonnes of soil a year.

By digging, #bettongs improve the soil, spread #seeds and create #MicroClimates and #WaterPools for bugs and plants to grow."

Decimated brush-tailed #bettong makes a startling return – with the help of #PeanutButter | #Australia #Marsupials | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/18/decimated-brush-tailed-bettong-makes-a-startling-return-with-the-help-of-peanut-butter