Mammals
Burrowing Bettong
Bettongia lesueur · also called boodie
Emerging from a shared burrow entrance at dusk, a burrowing bettong, known locally as the boodie, represents the only member of the entire kangaroo family that lives underground, a species now completely gone from the Australian mainland yet slowly returning through dedicated conservation efforts.
Overview
The burrowing bettong, Bettongia lesueur, also known as the boodie, is the only kangaroo family member with a fully underground lifestyle, historically native to desert and grassland habitat across much of mainland Australia. Its complete extinction on the mainland, survival only on select offshore islands, and ongoing reintroduction success make it one of the more dramatic examples of both mammal decline and conservation recovery found anywhere in Australia.
The kangaroo that went underground
While every other kangaroo family member shelters above ground, the burrowing bettong dug in, quite literally, a unique lifestyle that ironically could not save it from mainland extinction, though it has helped conservationists successfully re-establish the species on islands and fenced reserves since.
Status
Vulnerable, having gone extinct across the entire Australian mainland before active conservation and translocation efforts supported a cautious ongoing recovery.
Burrowing Bettong: common questions
Why is the burrowing bettong unique among kangaroos?
This species is the only member of the entire kangaroo family known to live in underground burrows, a lifestyle unmatched by any other macropod species, which typically shelter above ground in nests, dense vegetation, or rock crevices instead.
Why did the burrowing bettong disappear from mainland Australia?
This species disappeared entirely from the Australian mainland following European settlement, largely due to predation by introduced foxes and cats along with habitat changes, surviving only on a small number of offshore islands that these predators never reached.
Is the burrowing bettong being brought back to the mainland?
Yes, this species has been the focus of active conservation efforts, including translocation to predator-free islands and fenced mainland reserves, aiming to re-establish populations closer to its former range across mainland Australia.
Does the burrowing bettong live alone or in groups?
This species is more social than many other small macropods, digging and occupying complex burrow systems that are often shared with numerous other individuals, forming colonies rather than living entirely solitary lives.