Greater Bilby: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Australian Mammals · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. A mother bilby's pouch opens towards her back legs. That way it does not fill up with soil while she digs.
2. Bilbies dig burrows that spiral downwards. The twisting shape makes it hard for predators to get inside.
3. Bilbies never need to drink. They get all their water from food such as insects, seeds, bulbs, fruit and fungi.
4. A bilby pregnancy lasts only 12 to 14 days, one of the shortest of any mammal. Newborns must crawl into their mother's pouch.
5. In Australia, chocolate Easter bilbies are sold in place of Easter bunnies. One Adelaide chocolate maker gives the money to wildlife work.

The quiz

1. Why does a female bilby's pouch face backwards?

• To keep soil out while digging (correct)
• To help her swim
• To keep the baby cool in the sun
• So the baby can see behind her

A backward pouch does not fill with dirt when she digs.

2. What shape is a bilby's burrow?

• A straight tunnel
• A shallow scrape
• A spiral going down (correct)
• A tree hollow

The burrow spirals down, which makes it hard for predators to get in.

3. How do bilbies get their water?

• From rivers every night
• From dew on their fur
• From their food (correct)
• From rain puddles only

They do not need to drink because their food gives them all the moisture they need.

4. How long is a bilby pregnancy?

• About 6 months
• About 12 to 14 days (correct)
• About a year
• About 3 months

At 12 to 14 days, it is one of the shortest among mammals.

5. What do some Australians buy at Easter instead of chocolate bunnies?

• Chocolate koalas
• Chocolate kangaroos
• Chocolate wombats
• Chocolate bilbies (correct)

Chocolate bilbies are sold as an Australian swap for the Easter Bunny.

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