Rufous Bettong
Scientific Name: Aepyprymnus rufescens
Size: Total Length 710–780 mm, including tail 338–390 mm
What does it look like?
Rufous Bettong fur is long and wiry, reddish-brown above, flecked with silverish-grey, and pale greyish below. Head has triangular, pointed ears, short, hairy shout and sparsely furred nosepad. Naked skin around eyes and inside ears pink to pinkish-orange.
Where is it found?
Formerly wider ranging (including along sections of Murray River), but now confined to eastern Qld and north-eastern NSW.
What are its habitats & habits?
The Rufous Bettong is found in forests and woodland, where it favours open areas or those with grassy understorey, with adjacent thicker ground vegetation. Sleeps by day in dome-shaped nest of woven fibrous material, placed in shallow scrape on the ground, and emerges at dusk to feed on grasses, herbs, roots and underground tubers.
Interesting facts
Female mates shortly after giving birth, keeping a second fertilized egg in dormancy (quiescent).
This species features in my book A Naturalist’s Guide to the Mammals of Australia
