Fauna
Mammal · GBIF taxon 2440026

Bettongia penicillata

Bettongia penicillata

Also known as Brush-tailed Bettong, Brush-tailed Rat-kangaroo

Woylies are small, nocturnal marsupials that travel through Australian dry forests using a distinct hopping gait. They use their prehensile tails like flexible bundles to carry nesting materials, building dome-like shelters woven from dry grass and bark. As ecosystem engineers, they spend their nights digging up underground fungi, turning over tons of soil annually and dispersing vital mycorrhizal spores.

NocturnalMarsupialDigging
Bettongia penicillata reference
Licensed referencearthur_chapman / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
—observations
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—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Truffles (hypogeous fungi)
  • Plant tubers
  • Invertebrates
Predators
  • Feral Cat
  • Red Fox
  • Dingo
ThreatsPredation by feral cats and foxes, habitat degradation, disease outbreaks
HabitatsEucalypt forests, woodlands, and dry shrublands
Life span4–6 years in the wild (up to 10 years in captivity)
Classification
  1. FamilyPotoroidae
  2. SpeciesBettongia penicillata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
May scratch or bite if cornered; observe quietly from a respectful distance.
What to notice
Look for a small brownish marsupial with a dark brush tip on its tail and a compact hopping stance.
Support conservation
Maintain distance, stick to marked trails, and avoid disturbing woven grass nest domes in dense brush.
Responsible observation
  • Night Spotting: Use a red-light filter on flashlights to avoid blinding active individuals.
  • Habitat Protection: Keep dogs on leashes in sanctuary areas to protect fragile ground-nesting sites.
  • Quiet Observation: Remain stationary near known diggings at dusk to catch glimpses of active foragers.
Related species
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