BANDICOOTS

Bandicoots: Australia’s Small but Mighty Marsupials

Bandicoots are one of Australia’s lesser-known native marsupials, yet they are remarkable in both their biology and their role in the environment. Belonging to the order Peramelemorphia and the family Peramelidae, they are found in various habitats across Australia and parts of Papua New Guinea.

Physical Characteristics

Bandicoots are small to medium-sized animals, usually weighing between 150 grams and 1.5 kilograms, depending on the species. Their most recognisable features include:

• Long, pointed snout – perfect for probing the soil and leaf litter for food.
• Small rounded ears – excellent for detecting the faint sounds of insects and other prey.
• Compact, rounded body – ideal for moving quickly through dense vegetation.
• Short tail – aiding balance as they dart about.

Their fur ranges from grey-brown to reddish, often blending seamlessly with their surroundings.

Behaviour and Diet

Bandicoots are nocturnal – most active at night – and spend daylight hours resting in concealed nests. They are omnivores, feeding on:

• Insects (such as beetles, larvae, termites)
• Earthworms
• Fungi
• Roots and tubers
• Small vertebrates (occasionally)

They forage by digging cone-shaped holes in the ground. While some gardeners may find these holes unsightly, they are actually beneficial, as bandicoots help control pests and improve soil health through natural aeration.

Habitat

Different species of bandicoots live in a variety of landscapes, including:

• Woodlands and forests
• Heathlands
• Grasslands
• Semi-arid scrub
• Suburban bushland edges

They build above-ground nests from grasses and leaves, often under shrubs or logs, and sometimes use hollow logs as shelter.

Reproduction

Bandicoots have one of the shortest gestation periods of any mammal – just 12½ days. The tiny newborns, barely 13 mm long and weighing around 2.5 grams, crawl into the mother’s backward-facing pouch, where they continue to develop.

• Young stay in the pouch for about 60 days.
• They become independent at around 4 months of age.

The backward pouch prevents dirt from entering when the mother digs for food, a clever adaptation for a digging animal.

Threats

Bandicoots face significant challenges:

• Loss of habitat from land clearing and urban expansion.
• Predation by introduced animals such as foxes, cats, and dogs.
• Road fatalities, especially at night.
• Competition with introduced species for food and shelter.

Ecological Importance

Bandicoots are sometimes called “ecosystem engineers” because their digging:

• Helps turn over and aerate the soil.
• Distributes fungal spores that support healthy plant growth.
• Aids in the breakdown of organic matter, improving soil fertility.

Conservation and Coexistence

To help protect bandicoots:

• Preserve natural habitats and old trees with hollows.
• Keep cats indoors at night and manage dogs responsibly.
• Watch for wildlife when driving at night.
• Support local wildlife rescue organisations.

Bandicoots are an essential part of Australia’s ecosystems. Small, shy, and often overlooked, they work tirelessly to keep soils healthy and pest populations in check. Protecting them means protecting the health and resilience of our natural landscapes.