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The long-nosed bandicoot’s name comes from the term “pandi-kokku,” which translates to “pig rat” in the language Telugu
These nocturnal marsupials are native to Australia and New Guinea and prefer forests, shrublands and grasslands
Video game character Crash Bandicoot was initially named for another Australian marsupial
Crash Bandicoot fans: the eponymous video game creature does exist in the wild.
The long-nosed bandicoot, whose name is Perameles nasuta, is native to Australia and New Guinea. According to Bush Heritage Australia, the snout-poking animal’s name comes from the term “pandi-kokku,” which translates to “pig rat” in the Indian language Telugu.
This term suits them. These bandicoots stand out from other subspecies with their long noses, curved toes, and pointy ears.
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long-nosed bandicoot
Their typically bristly fur is peppered with shades of brown and gray, with a white underbelly. These creatures usually weigh 3.3 pounds and can be 12 to 16 inches long — their lifespan averages 2 to 4 years.
That said, these animals breed four times a year, and females are pregnant for only 11 days, which is the shortest of any marsupial. Babies can be as small as an inch long when born.
Long-nosed bandicoots make their homes in forests, shrublands, grasslands, and terrestrial environments. The solitary species spend their days sleeping in shallow nests covered by debris such as grass and leaves.
These expert diggers do most of their hunting at night. They use their noses to detect food and their toes to dig for it. As omnivores, they eat insects, insect larvae, lizards, mice, and snails, along with fungi, grass seeds, berries, and fruit.
Meanwhile, they are prey to foxes, cats, and dogs. Rabbits and deer are also threats to these marsupials because they compete with them for habitats and food.
According to the New South Wales Environment and Government website, bandicoots make four different sounds: a “high-pitched, bird-like” sound when searching for each other, a “whuff” when irritated, whistling squeaks and chuffing when feeling “threatened or alarmed,” and a “loud shriek” when in pain.
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Long-nosed bandicoot
There are seven species of these marsupials alive in Australia. The long-nosed bandicoot in particular appears to be faring well.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the species’ conservation status as of 2016 is ranked as “Least Concern,” meaning it “does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened.”
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According to GameRant, Crash Bandicoot was originally Willie the Wombat, named after a different (and much larger) Australian marsupial.
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