other names

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DESCRIPTION

Sexes similar, males slightly larger than females. Head and body length 310 to 425mm. Tail length 120 to 155mm. Weigh from 850 to 1100g. Greyish-brown fur above, creamy white below. Forefeet and upper surface of hindfeet are a creamy white. Muzzle is long and pointed. Ears are pointed at tip.

The Long-Nosed Bandicoot can be found on in eastern Australia. Subspecies Perameles nasuta nasuta, south from Townsvile in Queensland and Perameles nasuta pallescens from Townsville to Ravenshoe in Queensland. Habitat preferred by the bandicoot ranges from rainforest to wet and dry woodland areas, although it can often by found in surbuban areas and often leaves conical shaped holes in lawns as it searches for food. Diet includes insects and suculent plan material. A Long-Nosed Bandicoot spend its day in a nest, which is a shallow hole on the surface of the ground. The nest is lined with grass and leaves with the upper part of the nest is concealed under debris. The bandicoot is a solitary animal with males and females making contact only for reproduction. Breeding can occur throughout the year with a flurry of activity at late Autumn to mid Winter. Gestation is 12.5 days. A bandicoot litter consist of one to five young which are about 13mm long and .025 grams in weight. The young remain connected to the placenta by a long umbilical cord which stays intact some time after the young attaches to one of eight teats. Young grow rapidly with fur emerging at 40 days, eyes open around 45 to 50 days. Weaning is at about 60 days.