Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Mainland)

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Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Mainland) - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann | Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Mainland) - Rod Bird | Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Mainland) - Rod Bird | Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Mainland) - Rod Bird

Perameles gunnii

Upper body fur brown and grey, marked with three or four pale stripes on its hindquarters, white underparts and feet. Long nose and ears. Short white tail. Body up to 35 cm, tail up to 11 cm.

Details
Type
Mammal
Group
Animals
Marsupial
Other Common Names
Tasmanian Barred Bandicoot
Biology

Active at night. Can breed throughout the year, but mostly between July to November. Pregnancy lasts just 12 days, so they can produce up to five litters of young per year, with an average litter size of two. Can breed after 4 months of age. Average lifespan is 18 months to 2 years. Males need 13-20 hectares while females need 2-3 hectares.
Distinctive Markings

White stripes on rear of back, short white tail, long nose.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Peramelemorphia
Family
Peramelidae
Genus
Perameles
Species
gunnii
South-eastern Australia, including south-western Victoria.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Once widespread across western Victoria but now critically endangered in Victoria. Several captive breeding populations have been established.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Omnivore. Small invertebrates including worms, beetles, crickets, moths, cicadas and caterpillars. Plant bulbs and tubers including the Plains Yam Daisy, fruits and fungi.
Habitat

Natural habitat is tall, dense native grasslands and grassy woodlands, although they can live in modified habitats if there is suitable shelter and control of predators such as cats and foxes.
Native Status
Native to Australia. Once widespread across western Victoria.