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bettong

bettong

9.9
A small Australian animal that carries its babies in a pouch and has a short nose like a kangaroo
  • noun
  • Australian
translation icon : bettong
  • The bettong is a unique marsupial native to Australia.

Examples

  • The bettong uses its short nose to dig for underground fungi and roots.

  • Researchers released several bettongs into the protected reserve to help restore the population.

  • A bettong can hop quickly on its hind legs to escape predators.

  • The bettong is an endangered species native to Australia.

  • Have you ever seen a bettong in the wild?

  • A bettong is known for its shy behavior and prefers to forage at dusk.

  • Conservationists are working to protect the bettong and its natural habitat in Australia.

Synonyms

Bettongia
vsbettong
  • Australian
9.9

A group of small Australian animals that are active at night and have a pouch like small kangaroos

is a single small Australian marsupial name not the broader genus
rat kangaroo
vsbettong
  • Australian
8.2

A small Australian animal with a pouch that looks like a rabbit-sized rat

is a single small Australian marsupial term not covering the whole family
kangaroo rat
vsbettong
  • Australian
8.1

A small Australian animal with a pouch that looks like a rat but is related to kangaroos

is a specific small Australian marsupial term focused on short nose rather than appearance

Surface Forms

bettong singular
bettongs plural

Etymology

Bettong comes from an Australian Aboriginal word people used for this 'small hopping animal'. It is related to the well-known word kangaroo, so the name stayed and now means a small Australian marsupial like a little kangaroo.