Good things come in small packages – at least that’s the case when it comes to the bilby. To celebrate World Bilby Day, we thought we’d take a look at some of the superhero qualities that give bilbies the edge.
Small but mighty!
Don’t be fooled by their size, bilbies have incredibly powerful forelimbs and super strong claws – perfect for digging their way into deep burrows! This strength comes in handy if a predator raids its burrow. The bilby will tunnel furiously away from danger.
Bump in the night
When the sun goes down, bilbies come out to play. These little critters are nocturnal, preferring to hide in their burrows during the day, before venturing out after dark in search of food. Their big ears detect insect prey with ease, and their long tongue quickly snaffles it up.
No water? No worries!
Bilbies are part of a small list of creatures that don’t need to drink water. Instead, they get all the moisture they need from the food they eat. What do they eat? Bilbies are omnivores, feeding on insects, seeds, bulbs, fruits and fungi.
Ultimate comfort for joeys
Like wombats and bandicoots, female bilbies have a backward facing pouch which stops dirt from getting in while they’re digging.
On top of all of these cool qualities, the bilbies here at Perth Zoo are superheroes for their species. They’re part of a collaborative conservation program, contributing to recovery efforts by breeding animals for release into the wild.