Desert bandicoots are small to medium-sized marsupials and look very close to the endangered western barred bandicoot. However, the desert bandicoot species are now Extinct while the latter species are endangered. Going by the scientific name Perameles eremiana, they belong to the Peramelidae family and to the genus perameles. They have orange-brown fur on the body and dark bands at the back, making it easy to blend in with their surroundings. Common to Parameles, the tails are short but in the desert bandicoot, the tail is slightly longer and tapers to a point at the end. On the lower part of the foot, hair is present and their pointed ears make it easy to adapt to their dry habitat. This species is known to make its habitat in deserts with spinifex vegetation and dune environments. They fed on insects, beetle larvae, ants, termites, seeds, and nuts but their proper diet is not given. The distribution and the range of this extinct species are found in the Northern Territory, Southern Australia, and in the north-central part of Western Australia. History also reports that their range could have extended to the Tanami desert and the coastal region of the country. Scientists claimed that the exact reasons for their extinction are not known but major threats have been habitat loss and predation by feral cats, snakes, dogs, and foxes. Indigenous people of Australia used to eat this bandicoot too, further leading to a fall in their distribution. The extinction of this species has placed another dent in their range and the Australian biodiversity history.These marsupials, like all other bandicoots, are also territorial, solitary, and highly nocturnal. This means that they sleep during the day and forage for food at night. Their pointed nose and sharp claws make it easy to search for food by digging conical pits into the ground.If you are want to discover more marsupial and bandicoot facts, check out our marsupial fun facts for kids or bandicoot fun facts.
Fun Desert Bandicoot Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Ants, beetle larvae, termites, worms
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 2-4
How much do they weigh? 7.2 oz (204 g)
How long are they? 7.8 in (19.8 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Dark brown and dull orange
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? Foxes, Loss Of Habitat, Cats, Fire Regimes
What is their conservation status? Extinct
Where you’ll find them? Sandy Deserts, Dunes, Tussock Grasslands
Locations South Australia, Northern Territory, Central Western Australia, Tanami Desert
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Perameles
Class Mammal
Family Peramelidae
Desert Bandicoot Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a desert bandicoot?This mammal is a nocturnal and solitary marsupial and belongs to the Perimelidae family.What class of animal does a desert bandicoot belong to?The Parameles eremiana belongs to the class of mammals and are endemic to Australia.How many desert bandicoots are there in the world?This species of bandicoot, once native to Australia, no longer exists anywhere in the world and have been given an Extinct conservation status by the IUCN.Where does a desert bandicoot live?These animals native to Australia were known to live in a habitat that is dry and arid such as deserts with spinifex plants dune environments and formerly occurred throughout the central region of West Australia. The perameles eremiana is also common in the north-western region of South Australia and the Northern Territory.What is a desert bandicoot’s habitat?The desert bandicoot habitat is not known in detail but it is similar to the habitat of the western barred bandicoot which is now endangered. These animals are even found to live in habitats that are occupied by golden bandicoots. They make a plain simple burrow that they line out with leaves and other plant matter and is dug out under thick, dense shrubs and this acts as a nest in which they sleep during the day. This nest also keeps them safe from predators and other threats.Who do desert bandicoots live with?All Perameles eremiana species prefer living and hunting alone. They only get together with their mates during the mating season and once this is over, they disband and go on by themselves again.How long does a desert bandicoot live?The desert bandicoot, now Extinct, used to live for about two to four years in the wild which is the same for all other bandicoot species as well.How do they reproduce?Not much is known about the way the perameles eremiana species reproduce since they became Extinct suddenly. The breeding season tends to occur frequently in a year. The female was known to give birth to around four litters of which only two survive. After birth, the young climb into their mother’s pouch, which is located at the back, and stay there till they become independent.What is their conservation status? The IUCN has listed the desert bandicoot species as Extinct. History claims that their populations were wiped out in the country due to the changes in fire regimes which led to a loss of habitat which further made their range more vulnerable to predators and large animals.Desert Bandicoot Fun FactsWhat do desert bandicoots look like?The body of the perameles eremiana is small with a slightly long and pointed head that makes it easy to navigate when digging in the soil. Their fur is an orange-brown color and is coarse. Their tales are a little longer compared to other Parameles. Females have a pouch that faces the rear part of the body and this pouch has about eight teats.*We’ve been unable to source an image of a desert bandicoot and have used an image of a lesser bandicoot instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of a desert bandicoot, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected]How cute are they?Desert bandicoots look quite adorable with orangish fur and unique dark markings at the back of the body that resemble stripes. With their humped back and pointed snouts, they look even cuter!How do they communicate?Like all bandicoots, these species communicate using their auditory, visual and vocal abilities. They also heavily rely on their sense of smell, which helps in locating their prey.How big is a desert bandicoot?The desert bandicoot is not too big or small. They are about the same size as that of a rabbit which is 7.8 in (19.8 cm).How fast can a desert bandicoot run?As they are part of the bandicoot species, they are fast movers. They are agile and move quickly when chasing their prey.How much does a desert bandicoot weigh?The desert bandicoot weighs about 7.2 oz (204 g).What are the male and female names of the species?These species do not have a specific male and female name. They go by their scientific name, which is perameles eremiana or simply, desert bandicoot.What would you call a baby desert bandicoot?A baby desert bandicoot is called a joey.What do they eat?Although the exact diet is not known, they eat insects, insect larvae, spiders, termites, worms, plant roots, seeds, fruit, and nuts.Are they dangerous?These species do not pose any harm or threat to humans. However, they may attack if agitated or scared.Would they make a good pet?This Extinct animal would not make a good pet. This is because of their solitary and terrestrial behaviors which do not make them exciting or thrilling to keep them at home. It is in fact not allowed to capture or harm them due to their endangered and threatened status in most states.Did you know…These perameles eremiana species also have more than one name. One such name is the orange-backed bandicoot. The aboriginal people of Australia have their own names for them too like “malgaruquirra” at Alice springs and “iruwaa” at Charlotte waters. “Waliya” is also another name used by locals of the Warburton region.How did the desert bandicoot become extinct? The reasons for the decline and extinction of these species and their range are attributed to various reasons such as predation by feral cats, dogs, and red foxes and the changing patterns of wildfires that have led to the destruction of their habitats and range.How does the desert bandicoot survive in the desert? These animals have distinct physical features such as the hair on the sole of the foot, coloration of the fur, and their long pointed ears that make it easy for them to adapt and survive well in deserts and other arid regions.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these honey possum facts and ringtail possum fun facts for kids.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable muskrat coloring pages.*We’ve been unable to source an image of a desert bandicoot and have used an image of a lesser bandicoot instead as the main image. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of a desert bandicoot, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected]
Desert Bandicoot Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a desert bandicoot?
This mammal is a nocturnal and solitary marsupial and belongs to the Perimelidae family.
Fun Desert Bandicoot Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Ants, beetle larvae, termites, worms
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 2-4
How much do they weigh? 7.2 oz (204 g)
How long are they? 7.8 in (19.8 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Dark brown and dull orange
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? Foxes, Loss Of Habitat, Cats, Fire Regimes
What is their conservation status? Extinct
Where you’ll find them? Sandy Deserts, Dunes, Tussock Grasslands
Locations South Australia, Northern Territory, Central Western Australia, Tanami Desert
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Perameles
Class Mammal
Family Peramelidae
Fun Desert Bandicoot Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Ants, beetle larvae, termites, worms
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 2-4
How much do they weigh? 7.2 oz (204 g)
How long are they? 7.8 in (19.8 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Dark brown and dull orange
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? Foxes, Loss Of Habitat, Cats, Fire Regimes
What is their conservation status? Extinct
Where you’ll find them? Sandy Deserts, Dunes, Tussock Grasslands
Locations South Australia, Northern Territory, Central Western Australia, Tanami Desert
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Perameles
Class Mammal
Family Peramelidae
Fun Desert Bandicoot Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Ants, beetle larvae, termites, worms
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 2-4
How much do they weigh? 7.2 oz (204 g)
How long are they? 7.8 in (19.8 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Dark brown and dull orange
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? Foxes, Loss Of Habitat, Cats, Fire Regimes
What is their conservation status? Extinct
Where you’ll find them? Sandy Deserts, Dunes, Tussock Grasslands
Locations South Australia, Northern Territory, Central Western Australia, Tanami Desert
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Perameles
Class Mammal
Family Peramelidae
Fun Desert Bandicoot Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Ants, beetle larvae, termites, worms
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 2-4
How much do they weigh? 7.2 oz (204 g)
How long are they? 7.8 in (19.8 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Dark brown and dull orange
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? Foxes, Loss Of Habitat, Cats, Fire Regimes
What is their conservation status? Extinct
Where you’ll find them? Sandy Deserts, Dunes, Tussock Grasslands
Locations South Australia, Northern Territory, Central Western Australia, Tanami Desert
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Perameles
Class Mammal
Family Peramelidae
What do they prey on? Ants, beetle larvae, termites, worms
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 2-4
How much do they weigh? 7.2 oz (204 g)
How long are they? 7.8 in (19.8 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Dark brown and dull orange
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? Foxes, Loss Of Habitat, Cats, Fire Regimes
What is their conservation status? Extinct
Where you’ll find them? Sandy Deserts, Dunes, Tussock Grasslands
Locations South Australia, Northern Territory, Central Western Australia, Tanami Desert
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Perameles
Class Mammal
Family Peramelidae
What do they prey on? Ants, beetle larvae, termites, worms
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 2-4
How much do they weigh? 7.2 oz (204 g)
How long are they? 7.8 in (19.8 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Dark brown and dull orange
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? Foxes, Loss Of Habitat, Cats, Fire Regimes
What is their conservation status? Extinct
What do they prey on?
Ants, beetle larvae, termites, worms
What do they eat?
Omnivore
Average litter size?
2-4
How much do they weigh?
7.2 oz (204 g)
How long are they?
7.8 in (19.8 cm)
How tall are they?
N/A
What do they look like?
Dark brown and dull orange
Skin Type
Fur
What were their main threats?
Foxes, Loss Of Habitat, Cats, Fire Regimes
What is their conservation status?
Extinct
Where you’ll find them? Sandy Deserts, Dunes, Tussock Grasslands
Locations South Australia, Northern Territory, Central Western Australia, Tanami Desert
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Perameles
Class Mammal
Family Peramelidae
Where you’ll find them?
Sandy Deserts, Dunes, Tussock Grasslands
Locations
South Australia, Northern Territory, Central Western Australia, Tanami Desert
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Perameles
Kingdom
Animalia
Genus
Perameles
Class Mammal
Family Peramelidae
