CrowdScience Will rabbits become super predators?
Apr 3, 2026
Jono Thomas, wildlife keeper at Bonnarong who handles Tasmanian devils, and Sandy Ingleby, manager of the Australian Museum mammal collection, discuss invasive species and native mammal adaptations. They explore how rabbits, foxes and cats are changing in Australia. Rapid evolution, gene loss in devils, and observed shifts like leaner, paler rabbits and larger feral cats are highlighted.
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Listener Bart Sees Invasives Everywhere
- Bart noticed feral cats, foxes and rabbits outside his Australian home and asked how they might evolve after being introduced from Europe.
- Sandy Ingleby showed museum specimens of fox, cat and rabbit and linked those invasives to declines of over 30 native Australian mammals.
Native Mammals Reveal Long Term Adaptations
- Australian mammals show deep adaptations to harsh, low‑nutrient landscapes like burrowing, hopping and ever‑growing teeth.
- Sandy used the marsupial mole, potoroo and wombat skull to illustrate eye loss for burrowers, hopping energy savings and continuously growing teeth for abrasive diets.
Meeting Pez The Tasmanian Devil
- At Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Marnie met Pez the Tasmanian devil and keeper Jono Thomas who described devil personalities and biting behaviour.
- The visit sets up the later story about devil facial tumour disease spreading via bites among devils.