Rufous Bettong (Rufous Rat-Kangaroo)

Description:

Small kangaroo-type marsupial, greyish/brown grizzled fur, lighter belly fur, eyes rimmed with fine red/brown fur, dark eyes, small round ears with slight point, tiny front legs/forearms with long claws used for digging up fungi, roots, tubers and other vegetation. Hind legs similar to larger kangaroos and able to jump with same movement, long tail almost hairless. Sleeps in grass depression in the ground near logs or under tussocks. Lives alone or in small family groups and sometimes congragates in larger groups around good food resource sites.

Habitat:

Found throughout eastern Australia (woodland and forest) although not as common - predation by feral pests, human activity especially land clearing and road fatalities have taken a toll. This one in open woodland area of my backyard..

Notes:

I particularly like the eye shine in the second two photos, this is the male Bettong. In the morning the ground is scattered with scratched up dirt and small holes where these animals have been foraging. They also have some tiny young in the pouches - which I am hoping to photograph!