Macrotis leucura (Thomas, 1887)

Lesser Bilby

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Extinct (EX) external link Showing: scientific names

Media Center Navigation

Macrotis leucura (Thomas, 1887)

Images

Items in yellow are not reviewed.

Choose images

Macrotis Reid, 1837

Page navigation

Classification : Text | Graphic |
  

Table of Contents

Morphology

Physical Description

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
Animal Diversity Web external link
Copyright
©1995-2008, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors. Some rights reserved external link
Author
Angela Singh, West Windsor Plainsboro High School
Editor
Joan Rasmussen, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School
Source URL
View original data object external link
Citation
Singh, A. 2001. "Macrotis leucura" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed October 25, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Macrotis_leucura.html. 

 

Bilbies are sexually dimorphic, with males being larger than females. Body length of male bilbies ranges from 365-440 mm, female body length ranges from 320 to 390mm (Bright 1993). Lesser bilbies have long tails ranging from 115 to 275 mm in length, and a pouch that opens downwards and backwards. The upper surface of the body is a light color, usually gray, and the underparts are white. The tail is white, with a gray line extending to the rear of the body. Bilbies also have very long, pointed, rabbit-like ears. A unique characteristic of lesser bilbies are their feet, which bear three stout toes with curved claws, the remaining two toes are very small. Their hind feet posses only three toes. The first toe is made up of the fusion of digits 2 and 3, the second toe (digit 4) is very large, and the last toe (digit 5) is an average size, the first digit is missing (Bilbies 1983).

 
"Macrotis leucura (Thomas, 1887)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/323883". Accessed 21 Mar 2010.