Gilbert's Potoroo
Encyclopedia
Gilbert's Potoroo is an Australia
n marsupial
, sometimes called a rat-kangaroo, that is critically endangered. It is described as pointed in the face and about the size of a rabbit
. It lives in a restricted area on the southwest coast of Western Australia
. Gilbert's Potoroos now exist on Bald Island
and are breeding successfully. The population of the Gilbert’s Potoroo is approximated at less than 40 marsupials. This small population size is what has made them be listed as critically endangered. It is one of the world’s rarest mammal
s.
. Gilbert had collected several specimens at King George Sound
in Australia, this potoroo being one of them. Gilbert’s potoroo was not seen again for many years, even though many had searched for them in the 1970s. The species was thus considered extinct for 120 years before it was re-discovered in 1994 in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve
. Liz Sinclair had been doing research on wallabies
and caught the potoroo in one of her traps. She then compared her captured specimen with the skeletons of past potoroos and proved that it was indeed, the Gilbert’s Potoroo.
Potoroos live under dense bushes and shrubs. Potoroos are nocturnal and spend their days hiding under the dense thicket and rarely cross over large areas. Potoroos' diet consists of eating multiple varieties of truffles and fungi
. Australia has the majority of different kinds of truffles and Potoroos like to eat a variety of them. Potoroos have sharp three toed claws that help them dig into the ground to unearth truffles hiding underneath the earth’s surface. After digestion, the potoroos aid in spore distribution, as the spores germinate from a potoroo's feces
.
while the first embryo is growing. If the first baby does not go to term, this allows a second baby to start growing right away. It is currently not known how long gestation
is for Gilbert’s potoroo, but it is estimated to be similar to the Long-nosed Potoroo’s
length of 38 days.
In 2001, an action group was formed called the Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group (GPAG). The group was formed to help in the education and public awareness of the potoroo. The group also helps with raising funds for the research and captive breeding programs for Gilbert’s potoroo.
In efforts to protect the remaining population, three potoroos (one male and two females) were translocated to Bald Island
in August 2005 where they are free from predation. Since that time an additional four potoroos have been sent to establish a breeding colony.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n marsupial
Marsupial
Marsupials are an infraclass of mammals, characterized by giving birth to relatively undeveloped young. Close to 70% of the 334 extant species occur in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands, with the remaining 100 found in the Americas, primarily in South America, but with thirteen in Central...
, sometimes called a rat-kangaroo, that is critically endangered. It is described as pointed in the face and about the size of a rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
. It lives in a restricted area on the southwest coast of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. Gilbert's Potoroos now exist on Bald Island
Bald Island
Bald Island is an island that is located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. The island is offshore from Cheynes Beach and is a protected area which was declared a World Conservation Union Category IA nature reserve Bald Island is an island that is located in the Great Southern...
and are breeding successfully. The population of the Gilbert’s Potoroo is approximated at less than 40 marsupials. This small population size is what has made them be listed as critically endangered. It is one of the world’s rarest mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
s.
Discovery
Gilbert’s potoroo was first discovered 1840 and named in 1841 after the English naturalist and explorer John GilbertJohn Gilbert (naturalist)
John Gilbert was an English naturalist and explorer.Gilbert's birthday is 14 March, but the year is not known, estimates range from 1810 to 1815.He came from New Zealand to Australia in 1838....
. Gilbert had collected several specimens at King George Sound
King George Sound
King George Sound is the name of a sound on the south coast of Western Australia. Located at , it is the site of the city of Albany.The sound covers an area of and varies in depth from to ....
in Australia, this potoroo being one of them. Gilbert’s potoroo was not seen again for many years, even though many had searched for them in the 1970s. The species was thus considered extinct for 120 years before it was re-discovered in 1994 in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve
Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve
Two Peoples Bay is a protected area east of Albany. The area is accessible by 2WD vehicles. The bay itself, including two small secluded beaches, faces due east and is protected from the Southern Ocean by a headland formed by the granite massif of Mount Gardiner...
. Liz Sinclair had been doing research on wallabies
Wallaby
A wallaby is any of about thirty species of macropod . It is an informal designation generally used for any macropod that is smaller than a kangaroo or wallaroo that has not been given some other name.-Overview:...
and caught the potoroo in one of her traps. She then compared her captured specimen with the skeletons of past potoroos and proved that it was indeed, the Gilbert’s Potoroo.
Habitat & Diet
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
. Australia has the majority of different kinds of truffles and Potoroos like to eat a variety of them. Potoroos have sharp three toed claws that help them dig into the ground to unearth truffles hiding underneath the earth’s surface. After digestion, the potoroos aid in spore distribution, as the spores germinate from a potoroo's feces
Feces
Feces, faeces, or fæces is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the anus or cloaca during defecation.-Etymology:...
.
Reproduction
The female potoroos can have two babies in a year, while carrying only one at a time. They have the ability to keep a second embryo in a state of diapauseDiapause
Diapause is the delay in development in response to regularly and recurring periods of adverse environmental conditions. It is considered to be a physiological state of dormancy with very specific initiating and inhibiting conditions...
while the first embryo is growing. If the first baby does not go to term, this allows a second baby to start growing right away. It is currently not known how long gestation
Gestation
Gestation is the carrying of an embryo or fetus inside a female viviparous animal. Mammals during pregnancy can have one or more gestations at the same time ....
is for Gilbert’s potoroo, but it is estimated to be similar to the Long-nosed Potoroo’s
Long-nosed Potoroo
The Long-nosed Potoroo is a species of Australian potoroo. It is listed as Endangered in Victoria , Vulnerable in Queensland and nationally , although the IUCN lists it as Lower Risk.At first glance the Long-nosed Potoroo with its...
length of 38 days.
Efforts to increase population
After the rediscovery of Gilbert’s potoroo, additional specimens were immediately taken into captivity to try to help and promote more young to be born in order to help increase the population. A few young were born in the first couple of years, but then breeding stopped for no known reason. Many studies have been put into effect to analyze the diet, nutrition and environment of the potoroos, but they are still having problems getting the potoroos to breed.In 2001, an action group was formed called the Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group (GPAG). The group was formed to help in the education and public awareness of the potoroo. The group also helps with raising funds for the research and captive breeding programs for Gilbert’s potoroo.
In efforts to protect the remaining population, three potoroos (one male and two females) were translocated to Bald Island
Bald Island
Bald Island is an island that is located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. The island is offshore from Cheynes Beach and is a protected area which was declared a World Conservation Union Category IA nature reserve Bald Island is an island that is located in the Great Southern...
in August 2005 where they are free from predation. Since that time an additional four potoroos have been sent to establish a breeding colony.
External links
- Gilbert's Potoroo at Western Australia Department of Environment and Conservation
- Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) recovery plan