potoroo

marsupial

Also known as: Potorous, long-nosed rat kangaroo

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

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The term "potoroo" refers to any of the 11 species of Australian and Tasmanian marsupials belonging to the families Potoroidae and Hypsiprymnodontidae. These animals are related to kangaroos but are smaller, typically rabbit-sized or less. They possess prehensile tails used for gathering nesting materials and have large canine teeth. Potoroos are nocturnal, except for the musky rat kangaroo, and their diet consists of grasses, tubers, and fungi, with some species also eating grubs and worms.1

Several species, such as bettongs and potoroos, are listed as endangered or near threatened due to predation, particularly by introduced foxes. The musky rat kangaroo is the smallest and most primitive species, inhabiting rainforests and being active during the day.1

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rat kangaroo
The potoroos (Potorous) have shorter tails and ears and pointier faces than other rat kangaroos have. The long-nosed potoroo (P. tridactylus) lives in the underbrush of forests in Tasmania and on the eastern mainland from the border between South Australia and Victoria to southern Queensland. A…
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The potoroos (Potorous) have shorter tails and ears and pointier faces than other rat kangaroos have. The long-nosed potoroo (P. tridactylus) lives in the underbrush of forests in Tasmania and on the eastern mainland from the border between South Australia and Victoria to southern Queensland. A…
Read More