Brush-Tailed Bettong

Bettongia penicillata

The Brush-Tailed Bettong, scientifically known as *Bettongia penicillata*, is a small marsupial native to Australia, characterized by its distinctive bushy tail, which is tipped with dark fur. With a body length ranging from 30 to 38 centimeters and a tail reaching up to 40 centimeters, this nocturnal creature exhibits an agile and compact build ideal for its primarily terrestrial lifestyle. Sporting soft, grayish-brown fur, the Brush-Tailed Bettong is a solitary forager and plays a vital ecological role as a seed disperser and ecosystem engineer, contributing to soil health through its digging activities. It feeds mainly on underground fungi, tubers, bulbs, and seeds. Once widespread across the Australian mainland, the species has faced significant declines due to habitat loss, predation by introduced species like foxes and cats, and competition with livestock, and is now considered near threatened. Recovery efforts, including predator management and translocation programs, are essential to ensure the survival of this unique marsupial, known for its striking appearance and ecological importance.