Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus)
Who am I?
I'm a small marsupial, similar in size to a rabbit – you might even confuse us at first glance. My body is compact and rounded, with a short, stubby tail and short, rounded ears. The biggest difference is my snout, long and pointed, perfect for sniffing out all the delicious bugs and grubs that make up my diet. I have many close relatives, please don’t get me confused with the Long-nosed Bandicoot!
Where can you find me?
I can be found in scattered populations in South-Eastern Australia, from Sydney and Adelaide down to Tasmania. I was once found all over southern Gippsland, but in recent years I have only been known to remain in the Western Port Woodlands near Lang Lang. I prefer woodlands and forests with dense understorey – somewhere to hide safely from predators.
Why am I threatened?
Most importantly, not much of my habitat remains. Woodlands and forests have been cleared for agriculture and urban development, leaving me only small patches of space to live, with minimal connectivity between them for breeding. Feral cats and foxes are my biggest predators, I’m not adapted to escaping such skilled hunters.
How can you help?
Creating more habitat through planting forests and woodlands will help me the most as well as protecting the last of what remains. Please don’t take any more of my habitat away! Reducing my predators and competition from rabbits is also important, to allow me to thrive like I used to, before they arrived in this country..
Get involved now!
If you have seen a Southern Brown Bandicoot, please report the sighting HERE
If you know of a suitable property for the protection or expansion of woodland and forest habitat, please report it to us HERE
If you want to join our Landcare group and get involved with on-ground works such as planting, weeding days and education, sign up HERE
Project link: Western Port Woodlands
Thank you for contributing to protecting a local threatened species!