The bilby once lived across most of the Australian inland deserts. Today its range is a lot more restricted (due to the usual environmental problems that we humans cause). Only small populations survive in parts of the Tanami, the Gibson and the Great Sandy deserts.
The main feature of a bilby is their long muzzle and ears. With ears about 29-55 cm long they have very keen hearing. Their keen hearing compensates for their poor eyesight. Their ears can also rotate to pinpoint the direction and distance of the sounds. This is extra precaution against predators.
The bilby’s ear also has another purpose, they size of their ears also help cool the bilby down. This is called ‘thermo regulation’. The blood flows into the thin tissue of the ears and prevent the bilby from getting too hot in the day and losing moisture during the day and body heat during the night.
A bilby’s diet mainly consists of seeds flowers, fungi, spiders and insects. They need not drink any water, since they get their moisture from what they eat.
Like most desert animals the bilby hides during the day and feeds at night to avoid the desert heat and dehydration. Bilbies dig burrows that are one to two metres below ground and moister and up to ten degrees cooler than the surface.
The bilby’s strengthened limbs and powerful claws help them to build tunnels underground. They use these tunnels as shelter, from predators and prey. The female’s pouch faces backwards, so while digging these extensive tunnels, the pouch does not get filled with dirt.
Living in the harsh environment of the desert, the bilby has adapted, both behaviourally and physically.
Like most desert animals the bilby hides during the day and feeds at night to avoid the desert heat and dehydration. Bilbies dig burrows that are one to two metres below ground and moister and up to ten degrees cooler than the surface.
The bilby’s strengthened limbs and powerful claws help them to build tunnels underground. They use these tunnels as shelter, from predators and prey. The female’s pouch faces backwards, so while digging these extensive tunnels, the pouch does not get filled with dirt.
Living in the harsh environment of the desert, the bilby has adapted, both behaviourally and physically.
Bibliography
http://www.arkive.org/greater-bilby/macrotis-lagotis/
http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/bilby-macrotis-lagotis
http://www.maths.uq.edu.au/~infinity/Infinity%203/bilbies.html
http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/bilby.htm
https://www.savethebilbyfund.com/
http://members.optusnet.com.au/bilbies/About_Bilbies.htm
http://www.arkive.org/greater-bilby/macrotis-lagotis/
http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/bilby-macrotis-lagotis
http://www.maths.uq.edu.au/~infinity/Infinity%203/bilbies.html
http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/bilby.htm
https://www.savethebilbyfund.com/
http://members.optusnet.com.au/bilbies/About_Bilbies.htm