What is a bandicoot?
A bandicoot is a small, ground-dwelling Australian marsupial with a long pointed snout, which digs small cone-shaped holes in the soil while searching for insects, worms and roots.
Bandicoots are about the size of a rabbit or smaller and are mostly nocturnal. Common species include the southern brown bandicoot, the long-nosed bandicoot and the northern brown bandicoot. Some live in suburban gardens, where their diggings are often seen on lawns.
They have one of the shortest pregnancies of any mammal, about 12 days. Young bandicoots leave the pouch after about two months.
Threats and conservation
Several bandicoot species have declined or become extinct because of foxes, cats and habitat loss. The eastern barred bandicoot was declared extinct in the wild in Victoria, then reintroduced to fox-free islands and fenced areas. In 2021 its status improved from extinct in the wild to endangered.
Like bilbies, bandicoots have backward-opening pouches, which keep soil out while they dig. Their small conical diggings help turn over soil and spread fungi, so many gardeners welcome them.
Bandicoots are often confused with rats, but they are marsupials and are protected by law. Keeping cats indoors at night and controlling foxes helps suburban bandicoots survive. Long-nosed bandicoots still live in parts of Sydney, including North Head.
Did You Know?
The name bandicoot comes from the Telugu word for a large rat in India.