bettong
- noun
- Australian
- The bettong is a unique marsupial native to Australia.
Examples
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The bettong uses its short nose to dig for underground fungi and roots.
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Researchers released several bettongs into the protected reserve to help restore the population.
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A bettong can hop quickly on its hind legs to escape predators.
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The bettong is an endangered species native to Australia.
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Have you ever seen a bettong in the wild?
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A bettong is known for its shy behavior and prefers to forage at dusk.
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Conservationists are working to protect the bettong and its natural habitat in Australia.
Synonyms
A group of small Australian animals that are active at night and have a pouch like small kangaroos
A small Australian animal with a pouch that looks like a rabbit-sized rat
A small Australian animal with a pouch that looks like a rat but is related to kangaroos
Surface Forms
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.