One of Australia’s most charming little marsupials, easily recognized by the pale bars or stripes across its rump that give it its name. About the size of a rabbit, with a pointed snout, large ears, and a rounded body, this bandicoot looks both delicate and endearing. It lives in grasslands and grassy woodlands of southeastern Australia and Tasmania, where it spends its nights foraging and its days sleeping in hidden nests made of grass and leaves. Sadly, on mainland Australia, it has become one of the most endangered marsupials, surviving mostly through conservation programs and reintroductions into predator-free reserves.

What makes the Eastern barred bandicoot special is its diet and digging habits. It is an omnivore, feeding on insects, beetle larvae, earthworms, fungi, and plant matter. Using its long, pointed snout and sharp claws, it digs small cone-shaped holes in the soil called “snout pokes.” These holes not only help it uncover food but also play an important role in keeping the soil healthy, allowing water to soak in and seeds to germinate. In this way, the Eastern barred bandicoot acts like a natural gardener, improving the ecosystem just by feeding itself. Unlike larger grazing marsupials such as kangaroos, bandicoots make their impact beneath the surface, turning over the soil one little dig at a time.

Despite looking a bit like a rabbit, it moves in a bounding, hopping run that makes it seem like a tiny kangaroo skipping through the grass. Its large ears not only help it detect predators but also give it an adorable, alert expression. At night, they can be surprisingly bold, sometimes venturing into backyards or paddocks if food is available.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Australia

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally: South Australia

Australia

20,000

Official estimate

VU

2014

Tasmania, Victoria