Bandicoots

[yetti]

Gday all,

i have just read a post from plucker which mentioned the bandicoot. He was saying that they are only found up here on the cape and in the tablelands.

I would be greatful for any more info on this groovy little creature. in the past seven years I have seen a fluctuation in numbers around home. when i first came up this way in '98 there was heaps of them. by '03/04, when i was living here, their numbers seemed to diminish drastically, and between 05/06 i don't think i saw any at all, so much so that i noticed i hadn't seen any. Would the wet (amt of rain) have an effect on breeding?? Obviously dog numbers would also, but i still have my same dog.

Happily i can tell you in the last 2 yrs their numbers seem to be back. At home at the momment i have several around the house, one in particular is huge.

on a lighter note, if you cup your hands and clap near one, they do a complete backflip. "yeah right.." i hear you say, but i have seen this done several times, and have done it myself a couple of times, and on each occassion the same result. bugger the flea circus, i should start my own troup of bandis!!?

With regards to distribution, unfortunately i ran one over near port douglas last year, (unavoidable). possibly it was not a bandi, as i am no expert, but it certainly looked like one, and if it wasn't, i'd like to know what else it could have been.

Dan if your out there what enlightenment can you provide?? Plucker what more do you know?

any info would be appreciated,

cheers all,
Bat

[geoffjy]

When i was living out at Lockerbie, we used to quite a few around the place. They would come out just on dark. We also saw a few possums ans white tailed rats. The earth worms there are massive, about 2-3mt long.

[campdog]

Gday all,

i have just read a post from plucker which mentioned the bandicoot. He was saying that they are only found up here on the cape and in the tablelands.

I would be greatful for any more info on this groovy little creature. in the past seven years I have seen a fluctuation in numbers around home. when i first came up this way in '98 there was heaps of them. by '03/04, when i was living here, their numbers seemed to diminish drastically, and between 05/06 i don't think i saw any at all, so much so that i noticed i hadn't seen any. Would the wet (amt of rain) have an effect on breeding?? Obviously dog numbers would also, but i still have my same dog.

Happily i can tell you in the last 2 yrs their numbers seem to be back. At home at the momment i have several around the house, one in particular is huge.

on a lighter note, if you cup your hands and clap near one, they do a complete backflip. "yeah right.." i hear you say, but i have seen this done several times, and have done it myself a couple of times, and on each occassion the same result. bugger the flea circus, i should start my own troup of bandis!!?

With regards to distribution, unfortunately i ran one over near port douglas last year, (unavoidable). possibly it was not a bandi, as i am no expert, but it certainly looked like one, and if it wasn't, i'd like to know what else it could have been.

Dan if your out there what enlightenment can you provide?? Plucker what more do you know?

any info would be appreciated,

cheers all,
Bat
Ive got some in my backyard here in NSW.Ill bring a couple up next trip.

[xina]

There are heaps of them in the Baffle Creek area, and also in CQ near Rocky. My little dogs have great fun some nights chasing them out of the house yard. If I leave any dog food outside, [Chicken necks mind you. I didn't realise they were carniverous.] they come in for a feed.
Cheers,
xina.

[plucker]

Hi guys, as you are all probably aware bandicoots are found in lots of places. These are a common variety that digs for roots and insects. You will see lots of small holes around the place if they are around. Usually quite common around agriculture and sugar cane.
The one I mentioned in another post are different to the usual ones. The nose is a different length, cant remember if it is shorter or longer. The critter is small like a large rat and I know that on the outgoing tide they go down to the waters edge at the mouth of the Jardine to drink at night.
Bandicoots are a nocturnal animal also.
The only reason I had heard that these were rare was the fact that I had read it in the local rag some years ago.
My lation also confirmed this as he was also in the National Parks for some 20 odd years with incredible field experience.
I never took any photos, as they seemed normal to me at the time and I was unaware.
Hope the little guys are still there.
Cheers.

[dann]

Hi Guys

I've been in the McIlwraith since Nov 15 so haven't heard much news. Northern Brown Bandicoot up your way Bat. Pluckers pretty much got them sussed.

[Emujim]

We seen one at Punsand Bay camping resort last September. It was searching around for scraps.