Aepyprymnus rufescens

Description

Bettongs are small marsupials with shaggy grey/red fur, a grey tail, and bare pink skin surrounding the eyes

Distribution

This species is endemic to Australia, where it is widespread in the east of the country from near Cooktown to north of Newcastle. It formerly in the Murray Valley of New South Wales and Victoria

Lifespan

The average lifespan is greater than 5 years, and captive animals have been known to live for 8 years.

Size

Depending on the species type, they can grow between 30 and 38 cm tall. Each has a strong, prehensile tail roughly the same length as its body. Their body weights between 2.5 - 3.5 kg on average.

Diet

They usually emerge shortly after dark to forage and primarily eat herbs, roots, tubers, fungi and insects.

Habitat

Found in grassy wooded areas, coastal eucalypt forests and all wet sclerophyll forests

Breeding

Females are continuous breeders, with sexual maturity reached at about 11 months. Females raise one young per pregnancy but can have 3-4 young per year. The gestational period is 22 - 24 days