Bandicoots: An important link in the ecological chain

Bandicoots were once abundant in the backyards of suburban Sydney, but like many other native mammals, they have been declining in numbers for a variety of reasons.

About the Bandicoot

The northern beaches from Manly to Palm Beach are one of the last strongholds for bandicoots in the Sydney region. Significant populations of Long-nosed Bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) still exist in the Pittwater area. The endangered Southern Brown (Isoodon obeselus) and Northern Brown (Isoodon macrourus) bandicoots are rarer and have only been recorded in the Ingleside area.

Long-nosed bandicoot's habitat varies greatly from rainforest to both wet and dry woodland and coastal heaths. This diversity of habitat is found throughout the northern beaches and adjacent hinterland.

Urban Myths

Bandicoots are an important part of our bushland. Like 'crocodiles in the sewer' and other urban myths, bandicoots have been much maligned as garden destroyers and as the only host for ticks. Any warm-blooded animal (including humans, birds) can carry ticks. More mobile animals such as foxes, dogs, domestic and feral cats are able to more effectively distribute ticks.

Bandicoots roam over a comparatively small range: less than half a hectare (one acre) usually around their nest site. By comparison, studies have shown that dogs can roam up to 40km in one night, and cats up to 16km; making them more susceptible to pick up ticks as they wander through the area.

It is interesting to note that there are no bandicoots on Scotland Island even though ticks are present, indicating that bandicoots are not the only source of a blood meal for ticks. 

Bandicoots in Your Backyard

If you have bandicoots in your garden, you can consider yourself lucky! At times the antics of our bandicoots can leave us less than enthusiastic about sharing our lives with them.  But they do us a service in many ways more than one! Through their appetite for garden pests and grubs, eating cut worms, insect larvae, funnel web spiders they help aerate and maintain the health of our lawns and gardens. The best bit is that they do this work for FREE!

Small conical holes in your lawn may be the only sign that you have bandicoots visiting your garden.  Some people are fortunate enough to see these busy creatures at night or hear their squeals and grunting while they are searching for food. Bandicoots long snouts give them a keen sense of smell to sniff out their prey.

Conservation and Status

Pittwater still retains significant populations of bandicoots in the Sydney region, but numbers are declining.  Some of the ongoing threats to bandicoots include:

• Habitat removal and fragmentation by development
• Predation by domestic pets and feral animals such as foxes
• Road causalities

All native fauna is protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, making it illegal to trap or kill or harm bandicoots.

Did you know that one population of Long-nosed bandicoot at North Head in Manly is already listed as Endangered?

Very few native animals predate upon existing populations, the owl being the only significant natural predator. Quolls, which once frequented the area and preyed upon bandicoots, have all but disappeared for many of the same reasons bandicoots are becoming threatened!

Bandicoots and the environment

Bandicoots are a vital part of our natural ecosystem. Our native flora and fauna are interdependent forming relationships that benefit both native plants and animals.

Without bandicoots and other ground dwelling fauna, the health of our bushland is highly vulnerable. These small animals can carry beneficial bacteria and fungi around on their bodies. This bacteria and fungi can act as antibiotics for plants, promote plant growth and germination which play an important link in maintaining healthy bushland.

Bandicoots also assist in stimulating natural regeneration by turning over the soil and creating disturbance, acting as a trigger for regeneration of native plants. Our bushland needs native fauna to continue to have a viable future!

Living with Bandicoots

It is possible to live side by side with the native wildlife that visits your garden. We are fortunate to live in a city that still shelters much wildlife. Native fauna needs corridors and bushland areas outside National Parks and bushland reserves to survive into the future. We can help by:

• Establishing an area in the garden as a native fauna sanctuary, to provide shelter and food.  Try the keep this area away from family and pet thoroughfares.
• Plant local native plants in clusters with a variety of local native grasses, shrubs and trees to provide protective habitat.
• Keep cats and dogs in doors from dawn to dusk; bandicoots are highly vulnerable to predation.
• Avoid insecticides! By promoting a natural ecosystem, natural predation will keep the local environment in balance.
• Be cautious when driving at night - bandicoots often cross roads to access other bushland and sanctuary areas.
• Injured animals can often be saved with the right care. Wrap in a towel, place in a box and call either WIRES on 8977 3333; Sydney Wildlife on 9413 4300; or Taronga Wildlife Clinic 9978 4751. Always check the pouch of  dead bandicoots for young.
• To limit access to 'special' garden areas, an alternative is to construct a low bandicoot-proof, fine, galvanised wire mesh fence with gaps no larger than 20mm. The foot of the mesh should be buried at least 150mm and rise 500mm above the ground.
• Coexistence with our native wildlife is vital if we are not to have an impoverished future for our children and retain biodiversity.

Project SAFE

Project SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction), is a joint venture between Pittwater Council, Taronga Zoo, the Coastal Environment Centre and Pittwater Natural Heritage Association who are working with the community to help ensure the bandicoot remains part of Pittwaters natural environment.

If you would like to be involved with Project SAFE or would like further information regarding bandicoots, please call Pittwater Council Natural Resources Unit on 9970 1111 or the Coastal Environment Centre on 9970 6905.

Long-nosed Bandicoot

(Perameles nasuta) is the largest of all mainland species of bandicoots (the size of a rabbit) with grey/brown fur on the body, a creamy white underbelly and a short pointed tail. They have a narrow tapering snout, delicate teeth, short front legs, longer strong hind feet with a strongly clawed fourth toe and fused 2nd and 3rd toe used for grooming. Bandicoots can move moderately fast, with a galloping gait, the front paws leaving a clear imprint.

Bandicoots are nocturnal sheltering by day in concealed nests of ground litter piled over a shallow depression that is well hidden by dense vegetation. Soil is sometimes kicked over the nest for waterproofing. Nests are occasionally built in hollow logs. Males and females nest together, both being territorial with the male establishing dominant hierarchy.

Updated: 05 Dec 2011