Habitat:
The abiotic factors that influence the survival for the Bilby are predominantly sunlight; temperature, soil and rainfall. Their survival depends on hot dry climates where temperatures reach 30 degrees up to 40 degrees. They live in areas that have little rainfall and as Bilbies feed on plants that need fire to germinate, using recently burnt areas as burrows, fire is an important factor for the survival of the bilby. Bilbies are a now endangered species yet were once widespread across the continent. Currently, they are restricted to arid dessert regions across Western Australian, Northern Territory and Queensland due to the spinifex and dry grasses that are often found in these areas. Bilbies live in grassy places with low shrubs and bushes so that they can move about easily and keep away from predators. It makes its home by digging spiralling burrows in the ground that can be 3 meters in length and 2 meters deep. Bilbies will often make a number of burrows close to one another, and move between them for shelter and protection. As they are nocturnal they only leave the protection of their burrows at night to forage for food.
Challenges:
- Predators:
The bilbies main predators are feral cats, red foxes and dingoes; these species have been the main reason for the dramatic decline in their numbers and are the largest challenge faced by bilbies
- Habitat loss:
Introduced herbivores including the European rabbit, as well as feral and domestic livestock are the main cause for the loss of the bilbies habitat. Livestock graze in the grasslands that Bilbies reside and the introduced rabbit competes with bilbies for burrows.
Adaptations
- Structural
Large ears: Bilbies have large ears for many different purposes. First and foremost the Bilbies large ears allow them to regulate their body temperature and cool down. Blood flowing into the bilbies ears does not allow them to become excessively hot or cold.
Bilbies also have large ears due to the excellent hearing they allow them t have. They are also extremely manoeuvrable and man be rotated to gain greater information of the distance and direction of sounds
The bilbies survival benefits from this as they do not have to spend time, consuming copious amounts of food to maintain a stable body temperature and are able to remain out of harms way. As they are able to sense predators quickly they are able to avoid them easily.
- Behavioural
- Nocturnal: Bilbies are very shy creatures and live a truly nocturnal life, only leaving the shelter of their burrows to eat and reproduce. Conditions such as a full moon, heavy rain or strong wind may result in Bilbies choosing to remain in their burrow. Their survival rate in increased by this, as it is safer to forage in the night when they are less visible.
- Physiological
- Bilbies are very sensitive to light. This ensures that they remain in the darkness as often as possible. This ensures their survival as they can react quickly to light and go into the darkness to remain out of side of predators
Rhythmic pattern and purpose:
Bilbies shelter in the midday heat and come out after dark, this pattern occurs, as Bilbies are a nocturnal animal. The purpose of this pattern is to avoid predators
The abiotic factors that influence the survival for the Bilby are predominantly sunlight; temperature, soil and rainfall. Their survival depends on hot dry climates where temperatures reach 30 degrees up to 40 degrees. They live in areas that have little rainfall and as Bilbies feed on plants that need fire to germinate, using recently burnt areas as burrows, fire is an important factor for the survival of the bilby. Bilbies are a now endangered species yet were once widespread across the continent. Currently, they are restricted to arid dessert regions across Western Australian, Northern Territory and Queensland due to the spinifex and dry grasses that are often found in these areas. Bilbies live in grassy places with low shrubs and bushes so that they can move about easily and keep away from predators. It makes its home by digging spiralling burrows in the ground that can be 3 meters in length and 2 meters deep. Bilbies will often make a number of burrows close to one another, and move between them for shelter and protection. As they are nocturnal they only leave the protection of their burrows at night to forage for food.
Challenges:
- Predators:
The bilbies main predators are feral cats, red foxes and dingoes; these species have been the main reason for the dramatic decline in their numbers and are the largest challenge faced by bilbies
- Habitat loss:
Introduced herbivores including the European rabbit, as well as feral and domestic livestock are the main cause for the loss of the bilbies habitat. Livestock graze in the grasslands that Bilbies reside and the introduced rabbit competes with bilbies for burrows.
Adaptations
- Structural
Large ears: Bilbies have large ears for many different purposes. First and foremost the Bilbies large ears allow them to regulate their body temperature and cool down. Blood flowing into the bilbies ears does not allow them to become excessively hot or cold.
Bilbies also have large ears due to the excellent hearing they allow them t have. They are also extremely manoeuvrable and man be rotated to gain greater information of the distance and direction of sounds
The bilbies survival benefits from this as they do not have to spend time, consuming copious amounts of food to maintain a stable body temperature and are able to remain out of harms way. As they are able to sense predators quickly they are able to avoid them easily.
- Behavioural
- Nocturnal: Bilbies are very shy creatures and live a truly nocturnal life, only leaving the shelter of their burrows to eat and reproduce. Conditions such as a full moon, heavy rain or strong wind may result in Bilbies choosing to remain in their burrow. Their survival rate in increased by this, as it is safer to forage in the night when they are less visible.
- Physiological
- Bilbies are very sensitive to light. This ensures that they remain in the darkness as often as possible. This ensures their survival as they can react quickly to light and go into the darkness to remain out of side of predators
Rhythmic pattern and purpose:
Bilbies shelter in the midday heat and come out after dark, this pattern occurs, as Bilbies are a nocturnal animal. The purpose of this pattern is to avoid predators