One of Australia's best kept secrets and most underrated eco-warriors is the native bettong. These pint-sized marsupials are cryptic in nature and have a knack for keeping the country's ecosystems thriving.
Their world is fascinating, and I hope my PhD findings and environmental advocacy will help them steal the spotlight - and maybe even your heart.
What family do they belong to?
Although not as famous as their kangaroo cousins, they belong to the same order (Macropodiformes) and are affectionately called "rat-kangaroos" (though they're far cuter than that name suggests).
These charming nocturnal diggers are ecosystem engineers and play a vital role in maintaining healthy soils and spreading native plants.
Bettong vs potoroo - what's the difference?
Australia boasts the world's most diverse range of marsupial hoppers. Among the vast kangaroo family tree, bettongs share a branch with their often mistook cousin, the potoroo.
Potoroos are similar to bettongs but smaller and easily distinguishable due to their shorter tails, narrower snouts and smaller eyes. Bettongs are also far more widespread across Australia, with species names often based on the location in which they are found, such as Northern and Eastern. Unfortunately, many species were driven to extinction on the mainland after European settlement due to the arrival of feral pests like foxes and rabbits. However, thanks to the efforts of dedicated scientists, these unique marsupials are experiencing a resurgence, and their populations are starting to grow again.
Constant gardeners
Bettongs are considered ecosystem engineers or "constant gardeners", spending the majority of their time digging, scratching and turning over soil and leaf litter to forage for delicious food items.
This constant tilling of the soil does wonders for the landscape because it allows moisture to penetrate deep into plant root systems, aiding their growth and improving soil quality.
They also simultaneously bury seeds as they go, unknowingly planting the next generation of vegetation as they forage for a meal.
The burrowing bettong
One particular species makes extraordinary use of its digging abilities, creating large, elaborate warrens with up to 120 entrances and housing more than 60 individuals.
The aptly named burrowing bettong (Bettongia leseur) is the only species to form communal burrow systems. The more introverted do not rely on the communal burrows for protection, instead switching between up to six above-ground nests that they build in prime camouflaged locations.
Their hopping ability allows them to quickly dash between main foraging habitats and their various nesting spots.
What do they eat?
Bettongs are the fungi connoisseurs of the macropod family, with fungi making up 40 to 90 percent of their diet. Even the less particular species, like the rufous (Aepyprymnus rufescens) and the burrowing bettongs, still rely on fungi for at least 23 percent of their meals.
This preference for truffle fungi, which fruit underground, isn't just a quirky habit-it's essential for the ecosystem.
Bettongs are one of the primary ways these fungi disperse, contributing to nutrient cycling, soil health, and plant growth.
While they do eat fruit, seeds, stems and foliage when available, they tend to feed alone and aren't known for being generous sharers.
The rufous bettong is an exception, however. It forms tight-knit, often permanent social units when foraging, making it stand out in the otherwise solitary world of its relatives.
Are bettongs extinct?
Their absence from much of mainland Australia has left a noticeable gap, and we're still feeling the effects today.
Many species now survive only in isolated pockets, like predator-free islands or fenced reserves, where efforts to protect them from invasive predators have allowed some populations-like the Eastern Bettong (also called the Tasmanian Bettong)-to stabilise.
Unfortunately, most bettong species are still on the brink, with many listed as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.
But there's hope!
Conservation programs across Australia are working tirelessly to reintroduce these small ecosystem engineers to their former habitats.
And while bettongs themselves may be missing in some areas, their long-abandoned burrows haven't gone to waste-species like goannas and small mammals have made them their homes, keeping the legacy of these tiny diggers alive.
The fight to bring bettongs back is far from over, but with ongoing efforts, there's a real chance to see these fascinating marsupials hopping across our landscapes once again.
