potoroo

American  

[poh-tuh-roo] / ˌpoʊ təˈru /

noun

plural

potoroos

1. any of several small, ratlike kangaroos of the genus Potorous, of Australia.

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potoroo British  

/ ˌpɒtəˈruː /

noun

1. another name for kangaroo rat

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Etymology

Origin of potoroo

1790; perhaps < Dharuk

Example Sentences

And a great many of those species, like the koala, the southern brown bandicoot and the long-footed potoroo, have populations living in the regions now being obliterated by the fires.

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2020

Cats are considered to have been a leading threat for 22 of the extinct species, including the broad-faced potoroo, the crescent nailtail wallaby and the big-eared hopping mouse.

From New York Times • Apr. 25, 2019

There I was informed that the potoroo was considered a pest, since it was reputed to have a fondness for potato tubers.

From Time Magazine Archive

Chicago, Ill. I was interested to learn that the potoroo is considered a rarity.

From Time Magazine Archive

As the great continent of Australia became known, it was found that the great mass of its mammalia, from the gigantic kangaroo to the pigmy, mouse-like potoroo, belonged to this singular order.

From Heads and Tales : or, Anecdotes and Stories of Quadrupeds and Other Beasts, Chiefly Connected with Incidents in the Histories of More or Less Distinguished Men. by White, Adam