Woylie
Bettongia penicillata
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Diprotodontia
Family
Potoroidae
Genus
Bettongia
Woylie belongs to the family Potoroidae, order Diprotodontia, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
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.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
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.
Disease outbreaks
Habitat fragmentation and clearing for agriculture
Predation by introduced foxes and feral cats
Competition with introduced herbivores
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Woylie (Bettongia penicillata). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/woylie