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Long-nosed potoroo
The long‑nosed potoroo is a small, shy marsupial native to eastern Australia, inhabiting dense undergrowth in forests, woodlands, and coastal heath. With its grey‑brown coat, pale underside, and slender, elongated snout, it is well adapted for life on the forest floor, where it forages under cover of vegetation.
Our three long-nosed potoroos live in our Wonders of the Wild exhibit and share their enclosure with our Australian budgerigars.
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Diprotodontia
Family:
Potoroidae
About the long-nosed potoroo
Potoroos are herbivore‑omnivores, feeding on fungi, roots, tubers, seeds, and insects. They play a crucial ecological role as fungal dispersers, helping maintain healthy forest ecosystems. Their long snout and strong forelimbs allow them to dig efficiently for underground truffles and other food sources.
These marsupials are solitary and secretive, mainly active at night. After a gestation of around 38 to 42 days, females carry their joey in a pouch until it is ready to venture out and begin feeding alongside its mother.
Conservation
The long‑nosed potoroo is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Across eastern Australia, the species is affected by habitat loss and predation by invasive species, particularly foxes and feral cats. Clearing of coastal heath and forest understorey reduces protective cover, making potoroos more vulnerable. Conservation measures include habitat management, predator control programmes, and ongoing population monitoring to safeguard remaining wild populations.