The long‑nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) is a medium‑sized marsupial native to eastern Australia. It is best known for its long, pointed snout and its habit of digging small, conical holes while foraging at night for insects and other invertebrates. In many areas it lives in forests and woodlands, but it can also persist in suburban gardens and parks where cover and food remain available.
Although the species is widespread overall, local populations in some urban landscapes can decline due to vehicle strikes, introduced predators (especially foxes and cats), and habitat fragmentation. In parts of Sydney, for example, some small urban populations are managed as threatened “endangered populations” under state legislation.
Taxonomy and naming
This species belongs to the bandicoot family Peramelidae and the genus Perameles. Taxonomy has changed in recent years: what was once treated as a northern subspecies (P. n. pallescens) is now recognised as a separate species (Perameles pallescens), so P. nasuta is typically used for the southern/eastern form.
Appearance
Long‑nosed bandicoots are roughly “rabbit‑sized,” with dark grey‑brown to sandy‑brown fur on the back and a paler belly. The muzzle is long and pointed, and the ears are relatively large and pointed compared with some other bandicoots. Females have a rear‑facing pouch. Males are generally larger and heavier than females.
Range and habitat
The species occurs along eastern Australia—from Queensland down through New South Wales and into parts of Victoria. It occupies a wide range of habitats including eucalypt forests, woodlands, rainforest edges, moist gullies, grasslands, and some suburban areas. A “mosaic” of open foraging areas (lawns, grassy clearings) and nearby dense cover (undergrowth, leaf litter, thickets) is especially favourable.
Behaviour
They are mainly nocturnal and ground‑dwelling, often solitary but with overlapping home ranges. Foraging involves rapid digging in soil and leaf litter, producing characteristic conical holes. When disturbed, they quickly retreat to dense vegetation or nests.
Diet
The long‑nosed bandicoot is omnivorous but typically relies heavily on animal prey such as beetles and larvae, earthworms, spiders, and other invertebrates. It also eats fungi, seeds, roots and other plant material. By digging and turning soil, bandicoots can influence soil structure and leaf‑litter processes.
Reproduction and life history
Breeding timing varies with climate and region. Gestation is extremely short (about 12.5 days), and young remain in the pouch for around 50–54 days before weaning. Authoritative accounts note that wild lifespan is not well resolved; in captivity, individuals have been recorded living up to about 5.6 years.
Relationship with humans
In suburban settings, bandicoots may be welcomed for eating grubs and insects, but their digging can also be seen as a nuisance on lawns. The biggest human‑related risks include road mortality and predation by domestic/feral cats and foxes, especially where vegetation cover is sparse.
Conservation status and threats
Globally, the long‑nosed bandicoot is listed as Least Concern (LC). Key pressures include habitat loss and fragmentation, introduced predators, vehicle strikes, and local impacts from drought, fire, and other extreme events. Maintaining habitat connectivity, reducing vehicle speeds in wildlife corridors, and responsible pet management can help support urban and peri‑urban populations.
