Rufous Bettong
Spectacled Hare-wallaby
Rufous Bettong , Aepyprymnus rufescens , Spectacled Hare-wallaby , Lagorchestes conspicillatus
What do they look like ? Very small , dull grey-brown wallabies about 30 – 50 cm long ( body only ). Bettongs look more like miniature kangaroos , and are more upright in posture . Hare-wallabies are scruffy in appearance , with small , short arms and a hunched-over gait . Spectacled Hare-wallabies have orange fur around the eyes .
Where do they live ? A variety of open woodlands , usually with a moderate level of ground cover including fallen timber , a reasonable grass and shrub layer . Rufous Bettongs are widespread in eastern Queensland whilst Spectacled Hare-wallabies range across the north of Australia . Neither species is usually very common in an area .
What do they need to live , eat and breed ? Both shelter in grass ‘ nests ’, often with a shallow scrape . They may also utilise fallen hollow logs for this purpose . Bettongs eat herbs , grasses and leaves of shrubs and dig up plant roots and underground fungi or truffles ( like mushrooms ). Spectacled Hare-wallabies mainly eat grasses and herbs .
When might I see ( or hear ) them ? Both are rarely seen by day . Usually this happens when one walks too close to their daytime hide and the animal erupts from its shelter . Both are often seen at night in vehicle headlights . Bettongs in particular like green pick , and they are often seen in recently burnt country .
What management actions affect this species ? Both species need a mixture of good grass cover ( for shelter ), trees ( where fungi is found ), and some open patches of green pick ( for feeding ). Grazing systems that maintain patches of ground cover help these species survive . Avoid extensive wildfires which deplete ground cover and fallen timber over large areas . Infrequent , patchy , cool season or storm burning is best . Broad scale clearing will reduce available habitat . The effect of foxes and cats on Rufous Bettongs and Spectacled Hare-wallabies is uncertain , but controlling these species will benefit any small – medium sized native mammals .
How do they benefit the land I manage ? By digging in soil for fungi and plant roots bettongs help spread fungal spores which are crucial to soil health . Their shallow diggings help capture grass seed and litter , helping recycle this into the soil . Both species are part of a large suite of organisms that maintain healthy levels of grass nutrient turnover .
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