The Family Potoroidae

Family Potoroidae Potoroids are smaller macropods and were once called the rat-kangaroos. Some, such as the Musky Rat-kangaroo (Hypsipymnodon moschatus) of the north Queensland rainforests are no bigger than a rat, and others grow to the size of a rabbit. Potoroids have an unusual diet - of mushrooms, roots, and insects. Mostly, they live in dense undergrowth and make nests from material carried by curling their tails around it. An exception is the Desert Rat-kangaroo. Even though it has not been seen since 1935, the Desert Rat-kangaroo (Caloprymnus campestris) lived in one of the hottest, driest and most exposed areas in Central Australia.Many of these small species have been badly affected by European settlement. Their preferred habitat

has often been cleared for farming, and they have had to deal with the effects of many introduced animals, such as the fox, the cat and the rabbit. Two species of potoroids (there are nine known in all) are already extinct. Two more now survive only on coastal islands and another is rare. Potoroos Potoroos are mainly found in the wet forests and heathlands of east and south-east Australia. They feed in the open, but retreat to thick undergrowth for protection. The rare Long-footed Potoroo (Potorous longipes), is found only in the forests of east Gippsland and south-eastern New South Wales. The broad-faced pottoroo (Potorous platyops) was found in south-western Australia, but has not been recorded since 1875. Encouragingly, Gilbert's Potoroo, the western Australian race of the Long-nosed Potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) was recently rediscovered in south-west Western Australia after an absence of more than 80 years. Bettongs The Tasmanian Bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) D. Watts A.N.T. Photo Library Bettongs are found in drier areas than those preferred by the potoroos. Like most small macropods found in arid areas, bettongs are active at night to avoid moisture loss during the heat of the day. The Burrowing Bettong (Bettongia lesueur), does not drink. It gets the moisture it needs during the night from juicy sandhill plants. One of the endangered species of bettongs, the Brush-tailed Bettong (Bettongia penicillata), has been bred and released on islands off the coast of South Australia in a program supported by the Australian Government. Only two species, the Tasmanian Bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) and the Rufous Bettong (Aepyprymnus rufescens), can be regarded as common. Even so, they are found over a smaller area than before, due mainly to clearing of their habitat for farms.