THE bilby, a rabbit-like animal with long ears, is known for its great ability to dig. The pock-marked arid landscapes of Central Australia stand testimony to its burrowing activities.
The bilby is a nocturnal animal. To have a comfortable place to rest during the day, it digs a number of burrows with its powerful forelimbs and long claws. The burrows, which may vary in number from 10 to 12, wind to lengths of almost three metres each. After digging them, the bilby inspects all of them before choosing one to rest in, the following day. The animal also digs holes to find food, which mostly consists of roots, insects, bulbs of plants and fungi.
Its dwindling numbers has resulted in the bilby being a highly protected species today in Australia.