Animal Species:Long-nosed Bandicoot
The Long-nosed Bandicoot is probably best known for the small, round conical holes it leaves behind as it forages at night.
Long-nosed Bandicoot
T&P Gardner/Nature Focus
© Australian Museum
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.
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
Last Updated:
Tags bandicoots, marsupials, mammals, vertebrates, identification, wildlife of sydney,
7 comments
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
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.