Why is the bandicoot endangered?

Answer 1

There are several reasons why the Eastern Barred bandicoot of Australia is endangered in Victoria, and classed as vulnerable Federally.

• Habitat loss due to human activities, particularly the spread of agriculture
• altered fire regimes as a result of human interference
• predation by introduced species such as dogs, cats and foxes
• rabbit-trapping - the bandicoots are killed by the traps
• the introsuction of rabbits has also impacted upon the bandicoots' ability to live within their native habitat
• are affected by toxoplasmosis, a disease spead by cats
• the effect of insecticides by farmers within the bandicoots' habitat range, which affects not only the bandicoots, but their food supply of insects
• grazing by domestic stock animals such as sheep and cattle

Answer 2

There is no animal called the rabbit bandicoot. The bilby is sometimes known as a rabbit-eared bandicoot (by non-Australians) because of its long ears.

Bilbies are definitely on the endangered list. Prior to European settlement, the bilby could be found over most of the Australian continent, in arid and semi-arid areas below 18 degrees South latitude. It can now be found only in the Kimberley Ranges in Western Australia, the Tanami Desert and protected parts of Queensland's southwest.

Bilbies are rapidly becoming rarer because of loss and change to their habitat as well as the competition with other animals. The introduction of large animals for livestock, and rabbits, has greatly reduced the bilby's habitat and food source. In the past, attempts to trap and poison rabbits had an adverse effect on the bilby population as well.

Answer 3

Most species of bandicoot are not endangered, but those that are endangered are so because of loss and change to their habitat as well as the competition with other animals. The introduction of large animals for livestock, and rabbits, has greatly reduced the bandicoot's habitat and food source. In the past, attempts to trap and poison rabbits had an adverse effect on the bandicoot population as well.

Non-native predatory species such as feral cats, foxes and wild dogs have also contributed to the endangerment of bandicoots as they are small and helpless creatures with no effective defence behaviours.

Answer 4

Many species of bandicoot are endangered because of loss and change to their habitat as well as the competition with other animals. The introduction of large animals for livestock, and rabbits, has greatly reduced the bandicoot's habitat and food source. In the past, attempts to trap and poison rabbits had an adverse effect on the bandicoot population as well.

Non-native preadatory species such as feral cats, foxes and wild dogs have also contributed to the endangerment of bandicoots as they are small and helpless creatures.

Answer 5

The Long-nosed bandicoot is neither endangered nor vulnerable. On the IUCN redlist, it is classified as "Least Concern". Widespread through Australia's eastern states, it is also Common in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. There is just one small population at North Head, Manly which is classified as an 'endangered population'.

Answer 6

The bandicoot is endangered, with some species already extinct and others critically endangered.

Answer 7

Yes. The bandicoot is endangered in Australia, with some species already extinct and others critically endangered.