Where do the lesser bilbies live?

Answer 1

Bilbies (small marsupials sometimes known as rabbit-eared bandicoots) are critically endangered, and can only be found in isolated areas of far western Queensland and the Northern Territory, and areas of the Great Sandy Desert, Pilbara and Kimberley areas of Western Australia. In Queensland, they may be seen in a protected area near Charleville, in the west.

Bilbies live in burrows in hot, dry grasslands and semi-arid spinifex areas. The burrow entrance is often positioned against a termite mound or small shrub, and a single bilby may have up to a dozen burrows that it uses either for shelter during the day, or as a quick escape route from predators.

Amazingly adaptable for their size and the threats to them, bilbies can live in sandstone ridges, gibber plains, rocky soils with little ground cover, a variety of grasslands, and acacia scrub.

Prior to European settlement, bilbies were across about two-thirds of Australia, but being highly vulnerable to habitat loss and competition with introduced animals, it has not survived in those areas.

The first link below gives a map showing the known distribution of the bilby.

The second link also shows a map displaying how the bilby's habitat in Queensland has shrunk since European settlement.

Answer 2

They don't.

Lesser bilbies are believed to be extinct.

There were only ever six reported sightings of the Lesser Bilby, and these were all in the desert regions of north-eastern South Australia and the south-eastern Northern Territory. It lived in the sandhills, but it is believed that the introduction of rabbits and foxes led to its extinction.

Greater bilbies are endangered, and live in the same regions, as well as central Australia, a far corner of southwestern Queensland, and in the Kimberley and Warburton regions of Western Australia.

Answer 3

Bilbies dig burrows in which to shelter and sleep.

Answer 4

The bilby lives only in Australia.