The bilby was once known as the “greater bilby”, but is often referred to simply as the “bilby” since its closest relative, the yallara, or lesser bilby became extinct in the 1930’s and 1960’s.
The bilby was once known as the greater bilby, but is often referred to simply as the bilby since its closest relative, the yallara, or lesser bilby (Macrotis leucura) became extinct in the 1930’s and 1960’s.
The term bilby is a loan word from the Yuwaalaraay Aboriginal language of northern New South Wales, meaning long-nosed rat.
The bilby is also known as dalgyte in Western Australia by the Noongar people. The Wiradjuri of New South Wales also call it bilby. Other vernacular names include pinkie and rabbit-eared bandicoot.
• Image | © Biodiversity Heritage Library, Public Domain
• Sources | (Burbidge & Woinarski, 2016; Commonwealth of Australia, 2010, 2015; Environment Australia, 2004; Hintze, 2002; Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory, 1998; Pavey, 2006; The Wikimedia Foundation, 2021)
