Rufous rat-kangaroo

Rufous rat-kangaroo[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Diprotodontia
Family: Potoroidae
Subfamily: Potoroinae
Genus: Aepyprymnus
Garrod, 1875[4]
Species:
A. rufescens
Binomial name
Aepyprymnus rufescens
Distribution of the rufous rat-kangaroo

The rufous rat-kangaroo or rufous bettong (Aepyprymnus rufescens) is a small, jumping, rat-like marsupial native to eastern Australia. It is the only species in the genus Aepyprymnus. The largest member of the potoroo/bettong family (Potoroidae), it is about the size of a rabbit. The rufous rat-kangaroo is active at night when it digs for plant roots and fungi, and like other marsupials it carries its young in a pouch. Though its range is reduced, the population is healthy and stable.[2]

  1. ^ Groves, C. P. (2005). "Order Diprotodontia". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ^ a b Burnett, S.; Winter, J. (2016). "Aepyprymnus rufescens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T40558A21961456. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T40558A21961456.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Gray1837 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Garrod1875 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).