Gilbert's Potoroo  |  

Potorous gilbertii

Status: Critically Endangered on the EPBC Act list

Gilbert’s potoroo, is a small nocturnal marsupial, with a densely furred body, which lives in small groups or colonies. Adults range from 700 g to 1200 g and there is little sexual dimorphism. This species is the only existing species of Potorous in Western Australia, where it is endemic. It has long hind feet and long, curved claws on its front feet that it uses to dig for food. The species is brown to grey above and paler below, it has a slender and slightly downwards curved snout and dense fur on the sides of its face.

Government evidence of impact of climate change:

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  • Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Potorous gilbertii

    In November 2015 a bushfire burnt through the Mt Gardner headland of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve; near Albany; Western Australia and severely impacted the habitat of the original wild population of Gilbert s potoroo.
    Threats Table 1 Threats Threat factor Threat Evidence base type and status Fire Fire regimes Known The last wild population of Gilbert s potoroo occurred in dense; Current long unburnt vegetation that was highly vulnerable to wildfire.
    A major fire burnt through this area in Novmber 2015 severely impacting habitat and the wild population.
    Lowered Potential With already low numbers of individuals the impact of the genetic Future fire may result in a greater loss of genetic diversity. variability Invasive species Predation by Known Gilbert s potoroo is within the critical weight range (35 g 5 kg) Foxes and Current of mammals thought to be most susceptible to fox (Vulpes Feral Cats vulpes) and feral cat (Felis catus) predation (Burbidge McKenzie; 1989).

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  • Australian Government, Listing Advice, Potorous gilbertii

    Since European settlement; fire regimes in the area are likely to have altered and to have removed suitable habitat for the Potoroo.
    The population is also potentially threatened by a catastrophic fire (fuel loads within Gilbert Potoroo habitat are very high due to the species apparent preference for long unburnt vegetation).
    The population is also potentially threatened by a catastrophic fire (fuel loads within Gilbert Potoroo habitat are very high due to the species apparent preference for long unburnt vegetation).

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