long nosed potoroo

Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus

Photo: Dave Pinson		Long-nosed Potoroos were one of the earliest recorded mammals in Australia [1789]. Weighing in at just over 1 kilo, these small marsupial macropods live in coastal heath or wet eucalypt forest from S/E Queensland to Tasmania. Listed as vulnerable in NSW, endangered in Victoria, and vulnerable nationally, distribution is very patchy, with the highest concentrations found on sandy soils with an annual rainfall exceeding 750mm. Spending the day amongst thick vegetation, the shy long-nosed potoroo begins feeding at dusk, rarely venturing far from cover. The diet of the potoroo includes seeds, roots, bulbs, insects and their larvae, with the main component of the diet being underground fungi which are dug out using strong forepaws.
Photo: Dave Pinson
Breeding can occur all year round, although most births seem to occur from the end of winter through to early spring, and then again in late summer. Gestation period is 38 days, which interestingly is the longest of any macropod, despite being one of the smallest. The single joey spends about 4 months in the pouch, with young potoroos being weaned at 5-6 months old. Female potoroos reach sexual maturity at around 8-10 months old, with males taking a bit longer. Up to two young per year are produced. Longevity in the wild averages 2-3 years, but up to 7 years has been recorded in captivity. The long-nosed potoroo is still very common in suitable habitat in Tasmania, but on the east coast of the mainland its range has been considerably reduced to small patchy populations The two biggest threats by far to this animal's survival; are habitat loss as development eats into coastal forest forcing them into small isolated pockets, and predation by cats and foxes. This species is fully protected. NB: The photo above is of 'Harry' - a juvenile male. He is the first potoroo to come into care in our 14 year history.


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