GREATER BILBY
Common Name: Greater Bilby
Scientific name: Marcrotis Leucura
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
The Greater Bilby belongs to a group of ground-dwelling marsupials known as bandicoots. They are quite compact in size and have rabbit ears therefor sometimes known as the rabbit-eared bandicoot.
The Greater Bilby is found in semi-arid regions of the Australian mainland. Some are found in the Great Sandy and Gibson deserts, near Broome, although populations are now found within the Tanami desert of the Northern Territory. The Greater Bilby is found within a range of habitats such as places with rocky soils with little ground cover to semi-arid shrub lands and bushlands. They are also known to inhabit spinifex and tussock grassland regions.
Scientific name: Marcrotis Leucura
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
The Greater Bilby belongs to a group of ground-dwelling marsupials known as bandicoots. They are quite compact in size and have rabbit ears therefor sometimes known as the rabbit-eared bandicoot.
The Greater Bilby is found in semi-arid regions of the Australian mainland. Some are found in the Great Sandy and Gibson deserts, near Broome, although populations are now found within the Tanami desert of the Northern Territory. The Greater Bilby is found within a range of habitats such as places with rocky soils with little ground cover to semi-arid shrub lands and bushlands. They are also known to inhabit spinifex and tussock grassland regions.
Threats To the Bibly
There are so many factors that contribute to the minimising of the Greater Bilby population. There is around about 600-700 left around the world today. They have many predators such as feral cats to sheep and cattle. They are easy prey because of their poor eyesight. Humans have also taken over their habitats for developing areas. The greater bilby is also easy prey for domestic animals. They also have to fight for food and water against other animals which usually kills them.
The Greater Bilby is found within a range of habitats such as places with rocky soils with little ground cover to semi-arid shrub lands and bushlands. They are also known to inhabit spinifex and tussock grassland regions.
The Great Sandy and Gibson Deserts:
The Great Sandy Desert in located in the North West of Western Australia. It is the second largest desert in Australia, after the Great Victoria Desert. It encompasses an area of 284,993 square kilometres. The Gibson Desert lies to the South and the Tanami Desert lies to the East of the Great Sandy Desert. The desert is greatly dominated by spinifex, which appeals the Greater bilby. Other animals in the region include, feral camels, dingos, goannas (including the large Perentie) and many other lizard and bird species. Groups of Australian aboriginal people live in the desert and are mining settlements, therefor taking over the Greater Bilby’s habitat. Threats to this habitat include fire management, feral animals and overgrazing.
The Greater Bilby also inhabits the Gibson Desert. It covers a large, dry area in the state of Western Australia and is still largely in an almost pristine state. It cover around about 155,00 square kilometres, making in the 5th largest desert in Australia. It is located on the central east Sweden plateau between the saline Lake Disappointment and Lake Macdonald. The desert is right along the Tropic of Capricorn. Its altitude rises to just above 500 metres in particular places. Australian Explorers have covered large portions of the desert with gravel-covered terrains covered in thin desert grasses and also contains extensive areas of undulating red sand plains and dune fields. Ecosystems of the Gibson Desert are now listing as vulnerable, although none are declared yet. Gorge communities, Hummock grasslands and Wooded freshwater wetland on Lake Gruzka, within the desert range is threatened by grazing pressures, changed fire regimes and feral animas such as foxes, camels and cats.
Tanami Desert:
The Tanami Desert is located in the Northern Territory and overlapping Western Australia a bit. Is has a rocky terrain with small hills. The Tanami wasn’t fully explored until well into the twentieth century. The desert is classified as an interim Australian bioregion, and covers 25,997,277 hectares. According to government commissions, the Tanami Desert is one of the most important biological areas to be found in Australia. It provided for several of Australia’s rare and endangered species. There is currently and ongoing project called, The Tanami Desert project aims to save the Greater Bilby and is run by the Northern Territory land resource management department. Here is a link to show you everything about this project and what is being done to help.
The Great Sandy and Gibson Deserts:
The Great Sandy Desert in located in the North West of Western Australia. It is the second largest desert in Australia, after the Great Victoria Desert. It encompasses an area of 284,993 square kilometres. The Gibson Desert lies to the South and the Tanami Desert lies to the East of the Great Sandy Desert. The desert is greatly dominated by spinifex, which appeals the Greater bilby. Other animals in the region include, feral camels, dingos, goannas (including the large Perentie) and many other lizard and bird species. Groups of Australian aboriginal people live in the desert and are mining settlements, therefor taking over the Greater Bilby’s habitat. Threats to this habitat include fire management, feral animals and overgrazing.
The Greater Bilby also inhabits the Gibson Desert. It covers a large, dry area in the state of Western Australia and is still largely in an almost pristine state. It cover around about 155,00 square kilometres, making in the 5th largest desert in Australia. It is located on the central east Sweden plateau between the saline Lake Disappointment and Lake Macdonald. The desert is right along the Tropic of Capricorn. Its altitude rises to just above 500 metres in particular places. Australian Explorers have covered large portions of the desert with gravel-covered terrains covered in thin desert grasses and also contains extensive areas of undulating red sand plains and dune fields. Ecosystems of the Gibson Desert are now listing as vulnerable, although none are declared yet. Gorge communities, Hummock grasslands and Wooded freshwater wetland on Lake Gruzka, within the desert range is threatened by grazing pressures, changed fire regimes and feral animas such as foxes, camels and cats.
Tanami Desert:
The Tanami Desert is located in the Northern Territory and overlapping Western Australia a bit. Is has a rocky terrain with small hills. The Tanami wasn’t fully explored until well into the twentieth century. The desert is classified as an interim Australian bioregion, and covers 25,997,277 hectares. According to government commissions, the Tanami Desert is one of the most important biological areas to be found in Australia. It provided for several of Australia’s rare and endangered species. There is currently and ongoing project called, The Tanami Desert project aims to save the Greater Bilby and is run by the Northern Territory land resource management department. Here is a link to show you everything about this project and what is being done to help.
How can i Help conserve the Bilby?
One way you can help save the bilby is by keeping your pets on leashes or inside if you live or are visiting bilby habitats. Also, you can donate to the save the bilby fund which helps with funding research on the bilby, breeding bilbies in captivity, building predator proof fences etc.