Which Australian marsupial is commonly called the bilby?

The greater bilby is the Australian marsupial commonly called the bilby. It is a rabbit-eared, burrowing bandicoot relative that survives mainly in arid and semi-arid parts of central and western Australia.

The greater bilby has enormous ears, a long pointed snout, silky grey-blue fur, and a black-and-white tail crest. Its large ears help with hearing and heat loss, while its long claws allow it to dig extensive spiral burrows for shelter from predators and extreme temperatures.

Bilbies are omnivorous and eat seeds, bulbs, fungi, insects, and other small foods. They forage mostly at night, often using their sensitive noses and strong forelimbs to uncover food. Unlike rabbits, they are native marsupials and are not rodents.

The species is listed as vulnerable. Introduced predators such as feral cats and foxes, along with habitat changes and competition from introduced rabbits, have contributed to its decline. Conservation programs use fenced reserves and predator management to support recovery.