Long nosed Bandicoot

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What is a long nosed bandicoot?

Long nosed Bandicoot

DESCRIPTION
The most obvious characteristic is the reason for its name, that is that its muzzle is long and pointed.
Its colour is mainly Greyish brown on their back, whilst their underside creamy white as is parts of their feet
Their coat is bristly and rough, and they have no bars on their rump like many other species of bandicoots do.
Total length: 12 to 17 inches (approx)
Tail length: 5 to 6 inches (approx)
Weight: 850 gram to 1.1 Kg (approx)

HABITAT & LOCATION
You can find long nosed bandicoots in forests including rainforests. They like plenty of moisture though.
They are found along the entire East coast of Australia including Tasmania

BEHAVIOUR
As already stated they are Nocturnal foraging for food at night and during the day living in their leaf and vegetation lined nests, often in logs, crevices or scrapped out burrows or tunnels.
They are very solitary animals and will chase other bandicoots away except in their mating seasons.
When called onto fight they use their hind legs and bite only as a last resort.

FEEDING
Long Nosed Bandicoots love to feed on insects, other small invertebrates and soft roots of plants.
They dig holes (using their forepaws) big enough for their long noses to reach in and eat insects etc. hiding underground or in rotting logs half buried in the forest floor.
These bandicoots can often be heard sniffing at night time whilst searching for food or issuing shrill whistles and grunt-like sounds when food is found.

BREEDING
Though breeding can take place throughout the year, winter is not a favoured time.
A mature female (5 months +) has 8 teats in a backward facing pouch, but usually only rears two or three young.
In ideal weather and habitat (e.g. supply of food) the female can have babies every seven weeks.
The young bandicoots suckle for eight weeks and then a couple of weeks later become independent.

   

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