Potorous gilbertii
Gilbert's potoroo

There is only one extant population of Gilbert's potoroos. This population lives in the Two People's Bay park area of Western Australia. (Sinclair et al., 2000)

Gilbert's potoroos are entirely terrestrial. In the Two People's Bay park area, the potoroos hide from predators in the brushy undergrowth. Other members of the genus Potorous also prefer living in thick scrub, forest, low bushes, or long grass. (Lydekker, 1896; Lyne, 1967; Sinclair et al., 2002)

Gilbert's potoroos measure approximately 558 mm in length, with the tail taking up 158 mm of this total. The short, silky coat of Gilbert's potoroos are grayish-brown, fading to a reddish-brown color on the back. The under parts are whitish-gray, and the tail consists of hairs which are gray at the base turning into black at the tips. The face is long and narrow with a black line running from the nose to the forehead. (Harper, 1945; Lydekker, 1896)

The lifespan of Potorous gilbertii is unknown, but its close relative, Potorous tridactylus, is known to live up to 7 years in the wild and up to 12 years in captivity. (Nowak, 1991)

Little is known about the behavior of Gilbert's potoroos. However, Potorous tridactylus, a closely related species, is primarily nocturnal. Males are considered territorial, but they defend home ranges only when nearby females are in estrus. Potorous tridactylus typically lives a in simple nest, with females spending a particularly large amount of time nesting while they are breeding. (Nowak, 1991)

Home Range

Information on the home ranges of P. gilbertii is not available.

The communication patterns of of Gilbert's potoroos are unknown. However, as with other marsupial mammals, these creatures can perceive visual stimuli, noises, and smells. It is not known what role scent, visual signals, or vocalizations play in their communication. (Nowak, 1991)

The food habits of Gilbert's Potoroos have not been studied, but one can infer that it is primarily herbivorous by studying the habits of its relative, Potorous tridactylus. Fungi are the major food of Potorous tridactylus, although these potoroos will also consume roots, grass, other vegetables, and an occasionally insect in the summertime. The roots and tubers are dug up with the potoroo's foreclaws. Potorous gilbertii reportedly digs holes in the ground while feeding, so it is likely that it is feeding on roots or fungi, also. (Marlow, 1968; Nowak, 1991)

Predation by introduced European foxes and feral cats is thought to have played a major role in the disappearance of Gilbert's potoroos. Researchers believe that the tiny population of Gilbert's potoroos in Two People's Bay managed to survive because the park did not employ the usual method of burning vegetation in the park. This extra brush gave the potoroos a place to hide from predators and allowed them to survive to the present. In addition, some field researchers report that Natives in Australia would occasionally kill the potoroos in large numbers. (Harper, 1945; Sinclair et al., 2000)

The role that Gilbert's potoroos play in their local ecosystem is unknown. However, it can be inferred from their food habits that they modify the vegetation in communities in which they live, and may disturb the soil, influencing plant regeneration.

It is not known whether Gilbert's potoroos have any negative effects on human populations. Although the closely related species, Potorous tridactylus, is considered a pest by many farmers because it causes damage to potato crops by scratching for food in the ground, it is not likely that Gilbert's potoroos are a significant pest because of their restricted distribution. (Lydekker, 1896)

It is not known whether Gilbert's potoroos have any positive effects on human populations. Although there are reports that P. gilbertii was formerly hunted, because of the species' current restricted distribution, it is not likely that it is a significant resource to indigenous peoples.

Gilbert's potoroos are considered one of Australia's most endangered mammals. Gilbert's potoroos were presumed extinct until the species was rediscovered in Two People's Bay in 1994. Many different factors have contributed to the near extinction of this species. These include predation by introduced foxes and feral cats, disease, poisoned baits, and loss of land due to grazing cattle. Recent scientific studies indicate that the single known small population of Gilbert's potoroos has experienced a dramatic, recent genetic bottleneck. The animals are likely vulnerable to disease due to lack of genetic variation. To prevent the extinction of Gilbert's potoroos, scientists estimate that the population must be increased to at least 500 individuals in order to provide sufficient genetic variation (the current population size is unknown). To do this, the Two People's Bay area must be conserved, local predators must be controlled, captive breeding programs must be created, and searches for other possible remaining populations of Gilbert's potoroos should be conducted. (Gilbert's Potoroo Action Group, 2004; Harper, 1945; Sinclair et al., 2000; Sinclair et al., 2002)