Animal Info - Giant Bandicoot

(Other Name: Péramèle Géant)

Peroryctes broadbenti

Status: Data Deficient

1. Profile (Picture)
2. Tidbits
3. Status and Trends (IUCN Status, Countries Where Currently Found, History of Distribution, Threats and Reasons for Decline)
4. Data on Biology and Ecology (Weight, Habitat, Birth Rate, Diet)
5. References

Profile

Picture: Related Species - Raffray's Bandicoot (Peroryctes raffrayana) (60 Kb JPEG) (Terrambiente)

A giant bandicoot weighing about 5 kg (11 lb) has been recorded. The giant bandicoot is found in lowland rainforest. There is speculation that it also occurs in lowland hill forest. Vegetable matter comprises at least a portion of the giant bandicoot's diet.

In recent times the giant bandicoot has only been reported from the lowlands of southeast Papua New Guinea. Specimens have been listed from the Port Moresby area and Collingwood Bay. It is hunted for food.

Tidbits

*** This species is the largest bandicoot in the world.

*** Despite its name, the giant bandicoot displays "light-footed speed" when startled from cover in the forest. (Flannery 1995)

Status and Trends

IUCN Status:

1994: Endangered
1996 - 2004: Data Deficient (IUCN 2004)

Countries Where the Giant Bandicoot Is Currently Found:

2004: Occurs in Papua New Guinea. (IUCN 2004)

History of Distribution:

In recent times the giant bandicoot has only been reported from the lowlands of southeast Papua New Guinea. Specimens have been listed from the Port Moresby area and Collingwood Bay.

Threats and Reasons for Decline:

It is hunted for food.

Data on Biology and Ecology

Weight:

A giant bandicoot weighing about 5 kg (11 lb) has been recorded.

Habitat:

The giant bandicoot is found in lowland rainforest There is speculation that it also occurs in lowland hill forest, possibly up to 2000 m (6560') or more (Flannery 1995).

Birth Rate:

One instance of twins has been noted.

Diet:

Vegetable matter comprises at least a portion of the giant bandicoot's diet.

References

Flannery 1995, IUCN 1994, IUCN 1996, IUCN 2000, IUCN 2003a, IUCN 2004, Kennedy 1992, Macdonald 1984, Terrambiente

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Last modified: January 5, 2005;