AWC ecologists recently captured 15 individuals of the Long-nosed Bandicoot at North Head Wildlife Sanctuary as part of our research on the role of fire management...Read more...
Range and abundance
The Long-nosed Bandicoot is distributed along the east coast of Australia. They were once widespread and common in Sydney, but their range has been greatly reduced and now is locally extinct in many parts of its former range
The Long-nosed Bandicoot is a nocturnal medium-sized marsupial. This species is 31-43 cm in length and weighs between 600 and 1100 grams. They have a short, thin tail and grey-brown fur.
This species is omnivorous, with an opportunistic diet primarily consisting of invertebrates and hypogeal fungi, and leave characteristics cone-shaped diggings. Long-nosed bandicoots rely on mosaic vegetation, using open areas for foraging at night and dense undergrowth for nesting during the day. They nest in shallow depressions on the ground amongst thick vegetation.
This species breed continuously although they have a peak in reproductive activity in late spring and early summer. A female can produce up to 4 litters per year, each with 2-3 young.
Long-nosed Bandicoots were once widespread throughout the Sydney region, but many former populations are now extinct. Major threats to this species include habitat loss through land clearance and urbanisation, introduced predators (fox, cat, dog) and vehicle strikes (road kill). The isolated North Head population is particularly susceptible to a loss of genetic variation affecting population viability and stochastic events, such as wildfire that could potentially lead to the extinction of this population.
What is AWC doing?
AWC protects this endangered population of Long-nosed Bandicoots at North Head Sanctuary. We deliver ongoing monitoring to keep track of the population and any signs of declines. In addition our ecologists are undertaking important research to help identify and mitigate threats to this population.