Brushed Tailed Bettong (Woylie) 

Hi! I’m a Brushed Tailed Bettong (Woylie)

Brush-tailed bettongs build a small nest from sticks and leaves, under a bush or at the base of a tree, for shelter and protection. They were once found throughout southern parts of Western Australia, South Australia and western New South Wales. Today, they have been confined to south Western Australia and small areas of South Australia where they have been reintroduced.

The National Zoo & Aquarium is home to 5 brush-tailed bettong: Wilma, Wilbur, Tong, Betty, and Neville.

Brushed Tailed Bettong (Woylie) Facts

Taxonomy

Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi

Population Movement

Decreasing

Current Animals

Neville, Betty, Tong, Wilbur, Wilma

Life Span (captive)

10+ years

Weight

1.3kg

Reproduction

Females are able to breed from 6 months of age, and can produce young every 3-4 months.

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered

Group Count

5

Life Span (wild)

4-6 years

Size

31-38cm body, 29-35cm tail

Gestation

20 days

Distribution

Large historical range across mainland Australia, but now confined to a small section of Western Australia.