It boasts a distinctive coat characterized by a blend of brown-grey hues on its dorsal side, complemented by pristine white undersides. Notably, their tails mirror the length of their bodies, often featuring a distinctive white tip that aids in visual communication and possibly serves as a focal point during group movements. While their hind limbs are tailored for efficient hopping, allowing for rapid locomotion over varied terrain, they seamlessly transition to a quadrupedal gait when navigating at slower speeds.

Despite their diminutive stature, eastern bettongs exhibit remarkable culinary preferences, with truffles ranking high on their list of favored delicacies. These elusive fungi serve as a vital component of their diet, prompting these resourceful marsupials to embark on journeys spanning up to 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) in search of their coveted culinary treasures. This impressive foraging behavior underscores their adaptability and resourcefulness in securing sustenance across their habitat.

However, the eastern bettong faces a myriad of challenges in its quest for survival, chief among them being predation by introduced species such as the red fox. The relentless pursuit of these agile marsupials by invasive predators poses a significant threat to their population viability, compelling conservationists to implement targeted strategies aimed at mitigating predation pressure and safeguarding vulnerable eastern bettong populations.

Furthermore, the encroachment of introduced herbivores, including rabbits and other competing herbivores, exacerbates the challenges faced by eastern bettongs in their native habitat. Intense competition for limited resources, such as food and shelter, poses additional hurdles for these resilient marsupials, necessitating comprehensive conservation measures to address the root causes of ecological imbalance and promote harmonious coexistence among native and introduced species.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Australia

0

Official estimate

EX

1920

Extinct locally: New South Wales, Queensland

Australia

0

Official estimate

EX

1920

Extinct locally: South Australia, Victoria

Australia

2016

Tasmania