Status: | Species: | Common Name: | Last Update: |
---|---|---|---|
Offline | Aepyprymnus rufescens | Rufous Bettong | ----- |
Offline | Bettongia gaimardi | Tasmanian Bettong | ----- |
Offline | Bettongia lesueur | Burrowing Bettong | ----- |
Offline | Bettongia penicillata | Brush-tailed Bettong | ----- |
Offline | Caloprymnus campestris | Desert Rat Kangaroo | ----- |
The family Potoroidae is a group of small to medium-sized marsupials native to Australia, commonly known as potoroos, bettongs, and rat-kangaroos. These nocturnal herbivores primarily feed on fungi, roots, tubers, and other plant materials, playing an important ecological role in spore dispersal and soil health. Potoroids are characterized by their long hind legs, pointed snouts, and strong forelimbs adapted for digging. Most species are solitary or live in small social groups, and they carry their young in a forward-facing pouch. Many members of Potoroidae are threatened or endangered, largely due to habitat loss, predation by introduced species, and environmental changes, making conservation efforts critical for their survival.