bilby

Everyday

1. A bilby is a small Australian marsupial with long rabbit-like ears, a long pointed nose and silky blue-grey fur. tree →
2. It lives in desert areas, digs burrows and comes out at night. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons, the bilby is an example of a marsupial (mothers carry babies in a pouch) and of an endangered animal harmed by foxes, cats and rabbits brought to Australia. At Easter in Australia, many children get chocolate «Easter bilbies» instead of bunnies, to help save bilbies. Phrases: «Easter bilby», «greater bilby».

Examples

• The bilby has big ears like a rabbit. tree →
• Bilbies dig burrows in the desert. tree →
• A mother bilby carries her baby in a pouch. tree →
• We got a chocolate Easter bilby. tree →
• Foxes and cats are a danger to bilbies. tree →
• The bilby comes out at night to look for food. tree →

Note

Countable; plural bilbies (y → ies). A bilby is not a rabbit; it is a marsupial, like a kangaroo. Its pouch opens backwards so dirt does not get in when it digs.