What do I do if I found an injured Bandicoot?

These animals should NOT be handled by their fragile tail. They can be grabbed firmly but gently behind their neck and shoulders while simultaneously restraining their back legs.

They can also be easily trapped by throwing a towel over them before placing them into a straw filled box or a potato sack. They should not be kept on a wire or concrete floor as this will damage their feet.

Caution - Bandicoots have sharp teeth and claws!

Species Information

Northern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus)

The Northern Brown Bandicoot is a regular visitor to many backyards in Tropical North Queensland. Their visits can be confirmed by the small conical holes that you find in your lawn where they have been foraging. Unfortunately, they are a regular fatality on roads as they dart very quickly from undergrowth. There small size makes them very vulnerable to motor vehicle injuries.

Habitat

• Bandicoots are common in rainforest or riparian undergrowth.
• They prefer areas where low ground cover provides shelter and camouflage. These may include cane fields or guinea grass.
• They are nocturnal foragers spending most of the day concealed in their nests.

Diet

• Insects and invertebrates like spiders or earthworms are their preferred diet, however they are omnivorous and also eat plant material.
• Bandicoots use their sharp fore claws to dig on the forest floor or rotting logs to search for food.

Other Facts

• Males are larger than females, have larger canine teeth and are more aggressive,
• Males and females only come together during the mating season,
• Females generally bear two young which are carried in a rear-facing pouch. This may seem strange to have a pouch facing backwards, but its natures way of keeping the young clean when Mum is foraging for food and digging!