lesser bilby

The lesser bilby (Macrotis leucura) was a small, burrowing, nocturnal marsupial native to Australia. It belonged to the family Thylacomyidae and was closely related to bandicoots. The lesser bilby was characterized by its long snout, long ears, and a distinctive black band on its tail. It was omnivorous, feeding on seeds, bulbs, insects, worms, and small lizards.

Unfortunately, the lesser bilby is now extinct, with its disappearance estimated to have occurred between 1931 and 1960. This extinction is attributed to habitat loss and increased predation and competition from invasive species, such as red foxes and feral cats, which also impacted the greater bilby population.12