NORTHERN BETTONG

The Northern bettong is endemic to a limited region in northern Queensland.. Its natural habitat includes open woodlands, sclerophyll forests, and grassy areas with a dense understory. They are primarily found in areas with a well-developed grass layer, as they rely on grasses and herbaceous vegetation for their diet.

Northern bettongs have a small, compact body with a head and body length of about 30 cm. They have a short, rounded muzzle, long ears, and a long, prehensile tail. Their fur is soft and typically brownish-grey in colour, while their underparts are lighter.

Like many marsupials, Northern bettongs are primarily active at night. They emerge from their burrows after sunset to forage for food, using their strong forelimbs and sharp claws to dig for roots, tubers, fungi, and other underground food sources.

They construct complex burrow systems that provide them with shelter and protection from predators. These burrows can consist of multiple entrances, chambers for nesting, and storage areas for food.

The diet of Northern bettongs is primarily herbivorous, with a focus on underground plant parts such as roots, bulbs, tubers, and fungi. They also consume a variety of grasses, seeds, and fruits. Their foraging behavior plays an important role in seed dispersal and ecosystem health.

Northern bettongs have experienced population declines and range contraction due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and predation by introduced predators such as foxes, dogs and cats, and it is listed as a threatened species. It is estimated that there are only 1000 left in the wild with only two known populations in the Mareeba region of the Atherton Tablelands.