Longetivity
The bibly has been found to live aslong as 8 years although there is still some confusion as to the longetivity differences between captive and wild animals (Johnson 1989; Southgate & Possingham 1995).
Habitat
The greater bilby occupies an array of hibitats from clayley, stoney soils with sparse grass cover to Acacia shrubland and deep sands (The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013).
Burrows and home ranges
Greater bilbies are mostly solitary although occasionaly live in pairs (normally females). They are fossorial and dig burrows around 2-3 metres in length and depth of which contain multiple exists to assist in quick escape of potenial invading predators. During the process of digging the front claws quickly shift dirt under the body where it is shifted from the burrow by the hindlegs (Johnson 1989). A number of burrows may be present throughout a bilbies home range acting as protection for young, protection from predators aswell as enviromental conditions. The home range of male bilbies is larger than females with female home ranges from 0.18-1.5 square km and males from 1.5-3.18 square km (Southgate & Possingham 1995). Home ranges can overlap however social contact is kept to a minimum. In captivity it has been noted that males have a linear hierarchy involving little aggression (Johnson 1989).
Feeding
Being a nocturnal omnivore, the bilby forages at night digging for much of its food. The animal feeds oputunistically on seeds, insects, lizards, bulbs, grubs, fruit, termites, spiders and fungi of which their molars are characteristically squared, an ideal shape for consumption of these items (Johnson 1989). Bilbies are able to obtain all necessary water from their food although captive bilbies have been observed lapping water (Gibson 2001). In captivity biblies readily consume small vertebrates however their molars are not suited for mastication of skin and bone tissue of larger vertebrates including Notomys alexis of which it is regulalry housed with (Johnson 1989). Surface items such as small invertebrates and seeds are taken from the soil by means of a swift flick of the tongue whereas underground prey such as larvae and bulbs are taken by forelimb scratching and probing of the snout. Larger items including lizards are securley grabbed by the mouth and maipuated by the forelimbs (Gibson 2001). Holes of up to 500mm are dug when foraging with soil being scattered everywhere. Food is found cheifly by smell however hearing is imperitive for prey items such as insects and lizards whilst sight is of little value (Johnson 1989). The greater bilby moves in occordance to changing food and vegetation conditions and is not sedentary (Southgate & Possingham 1995).
The bibly has been found to live aslong as 8 years although there is still some confusion as to the longetivity differences between captive and wild animals (Johnson 1989; Southgate & Possingham 1995).
Habitat
The greater bilby occupies an array of hibitats from clayley, stoney soils with sparse grass cover to Acacia shrubland and deep sands (The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013).
Burrows and home ranges
Greater bilbies are mostly solitary although occasionaly live in pairs (normally females). They are fossorial and dig burrows around 2-3 metres in length and depth of which contain multiple exists to assist in quick escape of potenial invading predators. During the process of digging the front claws quickly shift dirt under the body where it is shifted from the burrow by the hindlegs (Johnson 1989). A number of burrows may be present throughout a bilbies home range acting as protection for young, protection from predators aswell as enviromental conditions. The home range of male bilbies is larger than females with female home ranges from 0.18-1.5 square km and males from 1.5-3.18 square km (Southgate & Possingham 1995). Home ranges can overlap however social contact is kept to a minimum. In captivity it has been noted that males have a linear hierarchy involving little aggression (Johnson 1989).
Feeding
Being a nocturnal omnivore, the bilby forages at night digging for much of its food. The animal feeds oputunistically on seeds, insects, lizards, bulbs, grubs, fruit, termites, spiders and fungi of which their molars are characteristically squared, an ideal shape for consumption of these items (Johnson 1989). Bilbies are able to obtain all necessary water from their food although captive bilbies have been observed lapping water (Gibson 2001). In captivity biblies readily consume small vertebrates however their molars are not suited for mastication of skin and bone tissue of larger vertebrates including Notomys alexis of which it is regulalry housed with (Johnson 1989). Surface items such as small invertebrates and seeds are taken from the soil by means of a swift flick of the tongue whereas underground prey such as larvae and bulbs are taken by forelimb scratching and probing of the snout. Larger items including lizards are securley grabbed by the mouth and maipuated by the forelimbs (Gibson 2001). Holes of up to 500mm are dug when foraging with soil being scattered everywhere. Food is found cheifly by smell however hearing is imperitive for prey items such as insects and lizards whilst sight is of little value (Johnson 1989). The greater bilby moves in occordance to changing food and vegetation conditions and is not sedentary (Southgate & Possingham 1995).
Grooming and Scent Marking
While bilbies appear passive and are not particularly aggresive males often will scent mark around burrows and will chase subordinate males away from burrows. The dominant male will generally scent mark over scents left by subordinate males. The syndactylous hind claws are generally used for grooming and most grooming takes place in the burrow (Johnson & Johnson 1983).
While bilbies appear passive and are not particularly aggresive males often will scent mark around burrows and will chase subordinate males away from burrows. The dominant male will generally scent mark over scents left by subordinate males. The syndactylous hind claws are generally used for grooming and most grooming takes place in the burrow (Johnson & Johnson 1983).
Temperature Regulation
Bilbies are have no sweat glands and so their large ears provide an important way of regulating body temperature. Burrows offer protection from the heat of the day and are therefore an important component of bilby tempreture control (Johnson 1989).
Bilbies are have no sweat glands and so their large ears provide an important way of regulating body temperature. Burrows offer protection from the heat of the day and are therefore an important component of bilby tempreture control (Johnson 1989).