Long-footed Potoroo
Encyclopedia
The Long-footed Potoroo (Potorous longipes) is a species of potoroo
found in southeastern Australia
, in a small area around the coastal border between New South Wales
and Victoria. It was discovered in 1967 when an adult male was caught in a dog trap in the forest southwest of Bonang, Victoria. It is classified as endangered.
The Long-footed Potoroo is the largest potoroo
, and is very similar to the Long-nosed Potoroo
(Potorous tridactylus). It is a solitary nocturnal creature, feeding on fungi, vegetation and small invertebrates. It differs from the Long-nosed Potoroo in its larger feet and longer tail.
Current threats to the species include predation by introduced feral cat
s and fox
es, as well as logging within its limited range. Logging has included the accidental felling of up to 400 square metres in the Errinundra National Park
, East Gippsland
in September 2005, and ongoing logging at Brown Mountain
.
Potoroo
The Potoroo is a kangaroo/rat like animal about the size of a rabbit. All three extant species are threatened, especially The long-footed Potoroo and Gilbert's potoroo...
found in southeastern Australia
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...
, in a small area around the coastal border between New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
and Victoria. It was discovered in 1967 when an adult male was caught in a dog trap in the forest southwest of Bonang, Victoria. It is classified as endangered.
The Long-footed Potoroo is the largest potoroo
Potoroo
The Potoroo is a kangaroo/rat like animal about the size of a rabbit. All three extant species are threatened, especially The long-footed Potoroo and Gilbert's potoroo...
, and is very similar to the Long-nosed Potoroo
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...
(Potorous tridactylus). It is a solitary nocturnal creature, feeding on fungi, vegetation and small invertebrates. It differs from the Long-nosed Potoroo in its larger feet and longer tail.
Current threats to the species include predation by introduced feral cat
Feral cat
A feral cat is a descendant of a domesticated cat that has returned to the wild. It is distinguished from a stray cat, which is a pet cat that has been lost or abandoned, while feral cats are born in the wild; the offspring of a stray cat can be considered feral if born in the wild.In many parts of...
s and fox
Fox
Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...
es, as well as logging within its limited range. Logging has included the accidental felling of up to 400 square metres in the Errinundra National Park
Errinundra National Park
Errinundra is a national park in Victoria, Australia, 352 km east of Melbourne. Errinundra National Park is centred on the Errinundra Plateau, a southwards extension of the Monaro Tablelands of New South Wales...
, East Gippsland
East Gippsland
East Gippsland is the eastern region of Gippsland, Australia covering 31,740 square kilometres of Victoria. It has a population of 80,114....
in September 2005, and ongoing logging at Brown Mountain
Brown Mountain forest
The Brown Mountain forest is located in East Gippsland, Victoria , and is notable for containing large tracts of old growth forest, including over fifty Shining Gum trees estimated to be over 300 years old.-Fauna:...
.