How to Identify a Bilby

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Look at the head of the bilby. It has a long, pointed snout which is pink at the end, giving it the nickname "pinkie." It has large, dark-colored eyes, but poor vision. It comes out at night to feed, partly because of poor vision which makes it easier prey in the daylight, and partly because the desert is cooler at night.
Step 2:
Note the defenses of the Bilby. It has long, narrow rabbit-like ears and exceptional hearing; they also are used for thermal regulators. The long snout gives the creature an excellent sense of smell, which it relies on to navigate the country, find food and avoid enemies. Its claws are used to burrow into the sandy desert soil to escape from predators, and also to dig long, spiral holes, which make it difficult for predators to reach them.
Step 3:
Take note of the size and proportions of the bilby. It is 2 to 3 feet long, and its tail is nearly 1/2 the length of its body. The Bilby's weighs about 2 1/2 lbs. The toes of the hind feet are attached to each other and the fourth toe is considerably longer. When it walks, the back legs move together with the front legs in a hopping motion.
Step 4:
Identify its eating habits and habitat. The bilby lives primarily in the desert in Western Australia, although some prefer more woodsy surroundings. It eats insects, seeds, roots, fruit and fungi. Because of the arid living conditions, the bilby gets most of its moisture from fruit. The bilby uses its claws for raking the soil for food.
Step 5:
Notice the strange anatomy of this marsupial. Its pouch is backwards, so that no soil gets into it while digging. There are usually two babies in each litter, no bigger than 1/2-inch long when born. They stay inside the mother's pouch for approximately 4 weeks, and then venture out into the burrow. They still nurse for 2 more weeks. They are fully independent at about six months old.
Step 6:
Expect to find a bilby living alone. They meet only to mate, which in itself is a strange process because the female has two vaginas and the male has two penises. They groom regularly and live only temporarily in their burrows before searching for new feeding grounds.

Resources

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