Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Perameles nasuta - endangered population
Gazetted date:
28 Feb 1997
Profile last updated:
01 Dec 2017
Description
A nocturnal marsupial of medium size. Adults range from 310 - 425 mm in head and body length, tail length varies from 120 - 155 mm and body weight may vary from 850 - 1100 grams. Males are larger than females. Colour is typically dark, greyish-brown above and creamy white below. The forefeet and upper surfaces of the hindfeet are also creamy white. The muzzle is long and pointed and the ears are distinctly larger and more pointed than short-nosed bandicoots of the genus Isoodon.
Distribution
Restricted to North Head in the Manly Local Government Area.
Habitat and ecology
- Essentially a solitary animal that occupies a variety of habitats on North Head. Forages mainly at or after dusk, digging for invertebrates, fungi and tubers. The conical holes it leaves in the soil are often seen at the interface of naturally vegetated and areas of open grass around the Quarantine Station, former Defence Lands and Saint Patrick's Estate.
- Shelters during the day in a well-concealed nest based on a shallow hole lined with leaves and grass, sometimes under debris, sometimes hidden with soil and with the entrance closed for greater concealment.
- Mating takes place at night and may occur throughout the year in the Sydney Region, although there is a trough in breeding activity from late autumn (April) to mid-winter (June). Has a very high reproductive capacity. There are 8 teats in the pouch and litter sizes range from one to five but usually two to three. Birth takes place during the daylight hours after a gestation of only 12.5 days. The young are carried in the pouch for 50 to 54 days and are then left in the nest. When the young are about 50 days old the mother may mate again and produce another litter several days after the previous one has been weaned. In good years, females may produce up to 4 litters. Female bandicoots may begin breeding at about four months of age and males at about five months.
- Has been recorded living up to three years in captivity. Assumed to live for up to two to two and a half years in the wild. Monitoring of the North Head population since 1997 has recorded some individuals living for up to three years.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Habitat loss and fragmentation as a result of urban development.
- Predation by domestic cats and dogs significantly impacts the viability of the population.
- Habitat loss and fragmentation as a result of unsuitable land management practices
- Inbreeding depression due to habitat fragmentation isolating the population.
- Outbreaks of disease (e.g. toxoplasmosis) would contribute to the decline of bandicoots particularly due to the small populations size .
- Too frequent fire with limited refugia killing individuals and leading to reduced available resources to support the persistence of the population.
- Predation by introduced foxes significantly impacts on the viability of the population.
- Increased levels of road mortality due to habitat fragmentation and urban development.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Keep domestic dogs and cats indoors at night.
- Undertake fox and feral cat control programs.
- Minimise impacts of residential development through sensitive planning and maintain connectivity of habitat.
- Implement habitat management programs including ecological burns and bush regeneration.
- Reduce road mortality through installation of speed restriction devices and educational signs.
Information sources
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Long-nosed Bandicoot population at North Head. Threatened species information. NPWS, Sydney.
- NSW Scientific Committee (1997) Long-nosed Bandicoot population, North Head - Endangered population determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Stodart, E. (1995) Long-nosed Bandicoot Perameles nasuta. Pp. 184-5 in Strahan, R. (ed.) The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books, Australia.
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IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|
| Ocean | Hawkesbury Shelf |
Known
| None |
| Sydney Basin | Pittwater |
Known
| South of Addison Road Manly Headland, including Sydney Harbour National Park (north) |