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potoroo

What the Heck is a Potoroo?

  • 2 May, 2019
  • Critter Man
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  • 299 Views
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Daily Critter Facts

Potoroo is a common name for a species of Potorous, a genus of smaller Australian marsupials. There are 3 known species of potoroo in Australia. All three are threatened by ecological changes since the English came to Australia. Two primary issues are predation by introduced species, like foxes, dogs, and cats. The other is habitat loss. The Gilbert’s Potoroo was discovered in 1840 by a naturalist named John Gilbert.

First the Stats…

Scientific name: Potorous
Weight: Up to 3.8 lbs.
Length: Up to 14 inches long, plus their tail
Lifespan: Up to 6 (in the wild) | Up to 12 (in captivity)

Now on to the Facts!

1.) Potoroos are primarily nocturnal, resting during day in nests made from leaves and hiding under dense cover.

2.) They live in wet forests and wet scrubland. Dense understorey is essential for cover. Eucalypt forests are also important because potoroos depend on fungi associated with these types of trees.

3.) The potoroo is solitary, except in captivity or when females are rearing young.

4.) Females carry nesting material with her tail as their tails are semi-prehensile.

5.) These critters are promiscuous (have multiple partners).

But wait, there’s more on the potoroo!

6.) Fungi makes up a large part of their diet in the wild, which also includes tubers, soil-based arthropods, seeds, fruits, and other vegetation.

7.) In captivity their diet consists of meal worms, crickets, and other insects, with chopped fruits, vegetables, grains, and egg, nuts and seeds. Pet food is also provided.

Did you know…?
Pinstripe Potoroo is a minor antagonist in the Crash Bandicoot video game. He is depicted as a stereotypical mafia gangster wielding a tommy gun. He is the fourth boss in the first game, and makes a reappearance in Crash Team Racing.

8.) They give birth to a single young after a gestation period of 38 days. Then they rear their young in their pouch, being marsupials, for 120 – 130 days.

Now a Short Potoroo Video!

Learn more about all kinds of cool critters here.

Be sure to comment below!

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Critter Man

With over 45 years of critter experience to my credit and hundreds of zoology teaching hours to people around the world, I have amassed not only a continuing thirst for critter knowledge but a desire to teach others all I can about the majesty and wonder of our natural world. Critter Science is a culmination of such knowledge. I have hands on as well as book acquired intel on all kinds of critters. Whether they're on land, sea, or in the air. I will never say that I know everything about all animals. That's impossible, even for a savant. But, that being said, ask me any animal question and I'll answer it. If I don't know the answer, I'll get an answer for you!

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