Eastern Barred Bandicoot
Scientific Name: Perameles gunnii
Size: 340-460 mm Total Length, including tail 70-110 mm
What does it look like?
The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is yellowish-brown above, streaked with silvery-white, extending on to base of white tail, and with 3 or 4 paler bars on rump. Greyish below.
Where is it found?
Southern Vic, where it is now restricted to sites where it has been re-introduced into predator-proofed reserves in Mount Rothwell and Hamilton Community Parklands, and Tas, including Bruny and Maria (introduced) Islands.
What are its habitats & habits?
The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is found in moist areas within grassy woodlands and grasslands, with a combination of dense vegetation for shelter during the day and open areas for foraging at night. Feeds on the ground for a wide variety of invertebrates, plant matter and fruiting bodies of fungi, which are located on the ground surface or by digging, sleeps at other times in a nest, lined with grass. Female may produce up to 5 litters per year, with up to 5 young in each.
Interesting facts
Females are capable of breeding at around 3-5 months of age, and males at around 5-6 months.
This species features in my book A Naturalist’s Guide to the Mammals of Australia
