A rabbit?
Commonly mistaken for a rabbit, the greater bibly is a similar size although has a long pointed nose and syndactyl on the hindfoot. Although colouring may vary with subspecies, it is generally silky blue-grey fur and a tan coloured belly. The tail of the bilby is white and with a black crest and can measure up to 29cm in length. Typically body length is up to 55cm while males can weight between 1-2.5kg and females only 800g-1.1kg. Large ears provide an essential way of thermoregulating and hearing when foraginng while smell is also important (Department of Enviroment and Heritage Protection 2012) . The forelimbs of the bilby are well developed enabling it to burrow easily. The hindlimbs are similar to Macropods have an enlarged fourth digit and syndactyly (Johnson 1989).
Commonly mistaken for a rabbit, the greater bibly is a similar size although has a long pointed nose and syndactyl on the hindfoot. Although colouring may vary with subspecies, it is generally silky blue-grey fur and a tan coloured belly. The tail of the bilby is white and with a black crest and can measure up to 29cm in length. Typically body length is up to 55cm while males can weight between 1-2.5kg and females only 800g-1.1kg. Large ears provide an essential way of thermoregulating and hearing when foraginng while smell is also important (Department of Enviroment and Heritage Protection 2012) . The forelimbs of the bilby are well developed enabling it to burrow easily. The hindlimbs are similar to Macropods have an enlarged fourth digit and syndactyly (Johnson 1989).
History and Taxonomy
Order: Permelemorphia
Family: Thylacomyidae
Genus: Macrotis
Scientific name: Macrotis lagotis
Common name: Greater Bilby
The greater bibly is the only surviving representative of the family Thylacomyidae of which is a member of the Banidcoot superfamily Permeloidea (Department of the Enviroment 2013;Johnson 1989). Two species comprise this group; the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) and the extinct lesser bilby (Macrotis leucura) of which the greater bibly separates itself by being larger in size. The first description of the greater bibly was in 1837 by Mr. J Reid whom decribed a speciemen collected by A. Gordon from Western Australia of which he wrongly claimed originated from Tasmania where the bilby has not been recorded. Firstly Reid placed the species under the bandicoot family Perameles however later suggested classification under the subgenus Macrotis. This was later validated by Troughton in 1932 whom classified macrotis as the correct name (Johnson 1989).
Order: Permelemorphia
Family: Thylacomyidae
Genus: Macrotis
Scientific name: Macrotis lagotis
Common name: Greater Bilby
The greater bibly is the only surviving representative of the family Thylacomyidae of which is a member of the Banidcoot superfamily Permeloidea (Department of the Enviroment 2013;Johnson 1989). Two species comprise this group; the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) and the extinct lesser bilby (Macrotis leucura) of which the greater bibly separates itself by being larger in size. The first description of the greater bibly was in 1837 by Mr. J Reid whom decribed a speciemen collected by A. Gordon from Western Australia of which he wrongly claimed originated from Tasmania where the bilby has not been recorded. Firstly Reid placed the species under the bandicoot family Perameles however later suggested classification under the subgenus Macrotis. This was later validated by Troughton in 1932 whom classified macrotis as the correct name (Johnson 1989).
Reproduction
Explore the reproductive anaotomy, behaviour and physiology of the greater bilby... more
Explore the reproductive anaotomy, behaviour and physiology of the greater bilby... more
Conservation
Examine the threats, reintroduction, recovery plans and the habitat of the greater bilby... more
Examine the threats, reintroduction, recovery plans and the habitat of the greater bilby... more
Husbandry
Learn about succsessful ways to maintain a healthy captive population of geater bilbies... more
Learn about succsessful ways to maintain a healthy captive population of geater bilbies... more