Macrotis

"Bilby" redirects here. For other uses, see Bilby (disambiguation).

Macrotis
Greater bilby
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Peramelemorphia
Family: Thylacomyidae
Bensley, 1903
Genus: Macrotis
Reid, 1837
Type species
Macrotis lagotis
Reid, 1837[1]
Species

Macrotis lagotis
† Macrotis leucura

Synonyms

Paragalia Gray, 1841
Peragale Lydekker, 1887
Phalacomys anon., 1854
Thalaconus Richardson, Dallas, Cobbold, Baird and White, 1862
Thylacomys Blyth, 1840[2]

Macrotis is a genus of desert-dwelling marsupial omnivores known as bilbies or rabbit-bandicoots;[3] they are members of the order Peramelemorphia. At the time of European colonisation of Australia, there were two species. The lesser bilby became extinct in the 1950s; the greater bilby survives but remains endangered. It is currently listed as a vulnerable species. The greater bilby is on average 55 cm (22 in) long, excluding the tail, which is usually around 29 cm (11 in) long. Its fur is usually grey or white; it has a long, pointy nose and very long ears, hence the reference of its nickname to rabbits.

Bilby at Featherdale Wildlife Park
  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Reid1837 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Wilson & Reeder. "Genus Macrotis". Mammal Species of the World. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  3. ^ "Thylacomys". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Unabridged (subscription required)