The Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isodon obesulus) is a marsupial (pouched) mammal in the Peramelemorphia family of short-nosed bandicoots.
The Southern Brown Bandicoot has a rounded, stocky body with a short snout (nose) and short, rounded ears. It has short, coarse, brown to yellowish-brown fur with black flecks. Its underbelly and legs are creamy-white or yellowish-grey. It has a short, tapered tail that is brown above and white below. It has five pink toes on each foot, with short claws.
It grows to about 50 centimetres (20 inches) in length. The female is smaller than the male. Its tail measures 13 centimetres (5 inches) long.
It is native to southern Australia, particulary in Kangaroo Island and Tasmania in only a few isolated areas. It prefers open forests, scrublands, and heathlands.
It is nocturnal, active at night. It feeds at night and rests during the day. It is omnivorous, eating insects, spiders, worms, plants, roots, ferns, and fungi. It digs for food. Its predators include owls, snakes, and quolls.
The female has a pouch that opens backwards. She has 2-3 young, called joeys, after a pregnancy of about 15 days. The joeys remain in their mother’s pouch for about 53 days, then they are independent.
Location of photographs: Adelaide Hils, Australia
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM