whats a bilby

A bilby is a small, nocturnal Australian marsupial with long ears, a pointed snout, and a burrowing lifestyle. It’s often called a rabbit-eared bandicoot, though it’s actually its own kind of marsupial.

Quick Scoop

• Where it lives: Native to Australia, especially arid and semi-arid regions.

• What it looks like: Long ears, blue-gray or pale fur, a white belly, and a black-tipped tail with a white tuft.

• What it does: It digs burrows and comes out at night to feed.

• What it eats: Insects, seeds, fruit, fungi, and other small foods.

• Why people talk about it: The greater bilby is threatened, so it’s often featured in conservation efforts like the Easter Bilby campaign.

In plain English

If you were picturing something between a rabbit, a bandicoot, and an anteater, you’re not far off. The bilby is one of Australia’s most distinctive native animals, and the best-known type today is the greater bilby.

Why it matters

Bilbies are part of Australia’s native wildlife and are considered important to desert ecosystems. Conservation groups and national parks services work to protect and reintroduce them in some areas.

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