No, bandicoots are not extinct, but this unique group of marsupials is facing a severe conservation crisis. They remain a distinct and diverse collection of small- to medium-sized mammals found exclusively in the Australia–New Guinea region. Several specific bandicoot species have sadly been lost forever in recent history.
Current Status of Bandicoots
The bandicoots belong to the order Peramelemorphia, a group that includes approximately 20 species, most of which are currently facing some level of threat. While many species still survive across Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, the order is one of the most susceptible to extinction on the continent. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies several bandicoot species as either Endangered or Vulnerable.
The Southern Brown Bandicoot is classified as endangered under the national EPBC Act in Australia, reflecting a significant contraction of its range. The dramatic population crash that began shortly after European settlement has made many bandicoots a rare sight in the wild. Conservation efforts are now focused on protecting the remaining populations and their habitat to prevent further losses within this ancient marsupial lineage.
Defining the Bandicoot
Bandicoots are small, ground-dwelling marsupials characterized by a distinctive, long, and pointed snout that gives their face a cone-like appearance. They generally range in size from approximately 28 to 79 centimeters in length and weigh between 0.2 and 1.6 kilograms, making them comparable in size to a rabbit or a small cat. Their dense, coarse fur is typically brown, grey, or tan, providing camouflage in the undergrowth of their diverse habitats.
These animals are primarily nocturnal, spending their nights foraging for food using their highly sensitive sense of smell. Their diet is omnivorous, consisting mainly of insects, insect larvae, worms, and spiders, but they also consume fungi and plant matter like roots and seeds. The process of foraging involves digging small, conical holes in the soil with their strong claws, a telltale sign of a bandicoot’s presence.
A unique feature among marsupials is the female bandicoot’s pouch, which opens backward to prevent dirt from entering while she digs. Bandicoots have one of the shortest gestation periods of any mammal, lasting only about 11 to 12 days, after which the underdeveloped young crawl into the pouch to complete their development. Their hind limbs are notably longer than their forelimbs, which contributes to their characteristic running style, sometimes described as a gallop.
Specific Extinctions and Endangered Species
The most notable example of a complete loss is the Pig-footed Bandicoot, Chaeropus ecaudatus, which was a truly unique mammal. This species was last sighted in the 1920s and is now considered extinct. The Pig-footed Bandicoot possessed slender, deer-like limbs and an unusual foot structure, having only two functional toes on the forefoot and one on the hind foot, distinguishing it significantly from its modern relatives.
Another confirmed extinction is the Desert Bandicoot, Perameles eremiana, which once inhabited the arid central regions of Australia. The Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Perameles gunnii, for example, was once widespread across Victoria and Tasmania but became extinct in the wild on the mainland due to predation and habitat loss. Conservation programs have successfully reintroduced some populations into fenced, predator-free reserves, but the species remains dependent on intensive management to survive.
Primary Causes of Population Decline
The primary drivers of bandicoot decline began with the arrival of European settlers who drastically altered the Australian landscape. Habitat destruction and fragmentation remain a significant threat as land is cleared for agriculture, housing, and infrastructure development. These activities destroy the dense, protective undergrowth that bandicoots require for shelter and foraging, leaving them exposed.
The introduction of non-native predators has been equally devastating to bandicoot populations, which evolved without effective defenses against them. Feral cats and European foxes hunt bandicoots efficiently, particularly targeting the small, ground-dwelling species that fall within a vulnerable weight range for prey. Changes in natural fire regimes further compound the problem by removing protective vegetation cover and altering the composition of the ecosystem. Additionally, factors like motor vehicle trauma, especially in peri-urban areas where bandicoots still exist, contribute to the ongoing mortality rates.