Brush-tailed Bettong
(Bettongia penicillata)

One of the smallest kangaroo species is the Brush-tailed Bettong, also known as a rat-kangaroo due to their diminutive size.  But they are not related to rodents at all!  This is a critically endangered species in Australia.  Introduced non-native animals such as foxes and cats, and loss of habitat have been responsible for the declining populations of bettongs.  The Kangaroo Conservation Center started a captive-breeding program for this species in 2004 and already has had approximately 30 joeys born. Bettongs weigh less than 2 pounds when full grown! Pictured on the left is our first captive born Bettong, Dylan.  When baby bettongs are born, they are only the size of a cooked grain of rice!  They grow much quicker than the larger kangaroo species and are ready to leave their mother's pouch when they are 3-4 months old.