BRUSH TAILED BETTONG Bettongia penicillata Mammal Order Marsupiala Description Head and body length: 10-17 inches. Tail: 9-13 inches long. Weight: 2 3 pounds. Color: The upper parts are buffy gray to grayish brown; the underparts are paler. The tip of the muzzle is naked and flesh colored and the tail is crested. The females have a well developed pouch. Range southwestern Australia to central New South Wales Status C.I.T.E.S. I. I.U.C.N. lists them as endangered. Photo by Greg Neise

Ecology Habitat Grasslands, heath, and sclerophyll woodlands.   Niche Nocturnal, terrestrial, and herbivorous. Bettongs feed mainly on roots, tubers, and legume pods, but there are reports of them feeding on carrion, meat and marine refuse. Life History The bettong constructs a nest of grass or sticks and bark. The nests are usually located at the base of an overhanging bush. The length of undelayed gestation is 21 days after which 1, occasionally 2, young are born. Just after the first young is born the female mates again, but because of embryonic dispause development is delayed, and partruition of the second young does not take place for four months. Captive life expectancy is 11 years. Special Adaptations The females can sexually mature at 200 days giving the animal a high reproductive rate. The bettongs tail is somewhat prehensile and is used to carry nesting material.