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ANIMAL SPECIES:Long-nosed Bandicoot

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The Long-nosed Bandicoot is probably best known for the small, round conical holes it leaves behind as it forages at night.

Identification

About the size of a rabbit, the Long-nosed Bandicoot has pointed ears, a short tail, grey-brown fur and, of course, a long nose.

Size range

31 cm - 43 cm

Distribution

Long-nosed Bandicoots are found in eastern Australia, from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. They were once widespread and common in Sydney. Today, their range and distribution in the Sydney region is reduced, and isolated populations remain in bushland areas to the north and south of Sydney. A small colony at North Head, Manly is classified as an 'endangered population'.

Habitat

Long-nosed Bandicoots live in forests and woodlands, and heath.

Behaviour and adaptations

Feeding and Diet

Long-nosed Bandicoots eat insects and other small invertebrate prey.

Other behaviours and adaptations

The Long-nosed Bandicoot is probably best known for the small, round conical holes it leaves behind as it forages at night. These holes are dug with the front feet and are big enough for the animal's long, sensitive snout to reach in and detect insects and other small invertebrate prey. During the day they sleep in nests made from grasses and other plant material.

Life cycle

Long-nosed Bandicoots are solitary for most of the year. The gestation period of only 12.5 days is one of the shortest known of any mammal.

Classification

Species:
nasuta
Genus:
Perameles
Family:
Peramelidae
Order:
Peramelemorphia
Subclass:
Marsupialia
Class:
Mammalia
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?


Last Updated: 6 December 2011

7 comments

Neville Thomas

nevt
9.11 PM, 09 November 2011

I have been seeing conical holes for a while but I found I am being visited by 3 adults and at least 3 young. This is 10 Km north of Maleny Qld. They appear to be eating spilled bird seed.

Greg Lee

greglee
9.09 AM, 04 September 2011

I have found small holes in my vegetable garden where my peas are planted, matching the description of bandicoot holes. They have been digging up and eating the pea seeds. Is this likely to be bandicoots or mice? I use wax rat baits to control mice, are bandicoots likely to eat these? I would like to encourage bandicoots on my farm but not mice.

Alan Deitch

bobiaus
10.06 PM, 25 June 2011

Hi Only just spotted the long nosed bandicoot that has been digging conical holes in our garden over the past couple of years.It seems to hang around the brushtail possums we feed when they are also on the ground.West Pymble

Comment Attachment

Chris Hosking STAFF

Chris Hosking
11.06 AM, 05 June 2011

Sian,

Your explanation could well be correct. The best way to confirm would be to send an image to Search & Discover; sand@austmus.gov.au if you see it again.

Thanks,

Chris

 

sian hromek

sianskid
9.02 PM, 21 February 2011

I live in Byron Bay NSW and just saw what appeared to be a long nosed bandicoot in my back yard that had a light white coloured coat with brownish irregular patches or large spots. Could this be a variation in the coat colour of this species, or an albino gene expression perhaps? It was with a normal coloured brown long nosed bandicoot. Thank you Sian

Mark Eldridge STAFF

Mark Eldridge
4.03 PM, 09 March 2010

Hi Gilbert,

the long-nosed bandicoot population is the inner west of Sydney was listed in 2008 as an ‘endangered population’ under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995  http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/longnosedbandicootfd.htm. This means that  anyone proposing a development that may impact the endangered population  needs to determine the likelihood of a significant impact (known as a ‘7 Part Test’ under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979) as part of their DA. 

Gilbert Grace

gilbert
9.03 PM, 07 March 2010

a colony is in Lewisham, it was not properly recorded as being an endangered colony and a DA threatens the habitat. Can AM help?

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Long-nosed Bandicoot

Long-nosed Bandicoot View full size
T&P Gardner/Nature Focus © Australian Museum

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