Potoroine

Potoroine are small marsupials native to Australia, belonging to the family Potoroidae, which also includes bettongs and rat-kangaroos. They are part of the order Diprotodontia, characterized by having two prominent front teeth. Potoroine are primarily found in forested and woodland habitats across eastern and southern Australia, including Tasmania.

There are three recognized species of potoroine: the long-nosed potoroo (*Potorous tridactylus*), the long-footed potoroo (*Potorous longipes*), and the southern potoroo (*Potorous apicalis*), which was declared extinct in the wild in 2001 but has since been reintroduced in controlled environments. These animals are nocturnal and spend much of their time foraging for food, which consists mainly of roots, tubers, fungi, and seeds. They have a specialized diet that includes a high proportion of fungi, making them important seed dispersers in their ecosystems.

Potoroine are small, with body lengths ranging from 25 to 40 centimeters and weights between 0.5 and 1.5 kilograms. They possess powerful hind legs adapted for hopping, though they are not as agile as larger kangaroos. Their fur is typically soft and dense, providing insulation against the cooler temperatures of their habitats. Like other marsupials, female potoroine carry their young in a pouch for several months after birth.

Habitat loss due to land clearing, predation by introduced species such as foxes and cats, and disease have contributed to population declines. Conservation efforts, including captive breeding programs and habitat restoration, aim to protect these species. The long-footed potoroo is currently listed as endangered, while the long-nosed potoroo is classified as vulnerable. Research and monitoring continue to inform strategies for their long-term survival.