Woylie
CR

Woylie

Bettongia penicillata

Unknown

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Woylie faces severe population declines primarily due to predation by introduced foxes and feral cats, which have devastated populations across much of their former range. Habitat fragmentation from agricultural clearing and urban development has further reduced available territory, while disease outbreaks have caused additional mortality in remaining populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

Woylies inhabit open woodlands, shrublands, and heathlands with dense understory vegetation, particularly areas dominated by eucalyptus and acacia species. They prefer habitats with sandy soils suitable for digging and require areas with adequate ground cover for shelter and foraging.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Woylie classified as Critically Endangered?
Woylie is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Woylie faces severe population declines primarily due to predation by introduced foxes and feral cats, which have devastated populations across much of their former range. Habitat fragmentation from agricultural clearing and urban development has further reduced available territory, while disease outbreaks have caused additional mortality in remaining populations.
Where does Woylie live?
Woylie occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Woylie?
The main threats to Woylie are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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