Bilbies were historically found over 70% of continental Australia, but are now limited to 20-30% of their original territory in northwest Australia and the southwest tip of Queensland.
Bilbies were historically found over 70% of continental Australia with populations throughout South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and New South Wales. Limited populations were also found in southwestern Queensland. Upon the introduction of feral cats (Felis catus), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) by Europeans, the home range of the bilby was greatly reduced.
Today, bilbies are limited to 20 to 30% of their original territory and are found in Great Sandy, Tanami, and Gibson deserts in northwest Australia and the southwest tip of Queensland.
Bilbies are now considered extinct in South Australia.
• Image | ©️ Sean Riley, Some Rights Reserved, (CC BY 2.0)
• Sources | (Brown, 2011; Environment Australia, 2004; Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory, 1998; Pavey, 2006; The Wikimedia Foundation, 2021)
