Did you know?

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 & Diet

• Bandicoots are common in rainforest or riparian undergrowth. They are nocturnal foragers spending most of the day concealed in their nests.
• They prefer areas where low ground cover provides shelter and camouflage. These may include cane fields or guinea grass.
• 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 nature's way of keeping the young clean when Mum is foraging for food and digging!