Welcome to the bandicoot research page
Although bandicoots are clearly visible in the remnant patch of woodland/healthland at the Royal Botanical Gardens Cranbourne Annex, relatively little is known about their habitat requirements and activity patterns in general. Previous research is somewhat conflictual. Some research suggests that bandicoots require relatively young (recently disturbed) vegetation to facilitate feeding (digging in the soil for subterranean invertebrates, fungi and roots), whilst other research has found that they require older, denser more complex habitats for nesting.
The sparsity of knowledge and inconsistencies of research findings are mainly due to the difficulties of working on these largely nocturnal, solitary and somewhat secretive animals that inhabit the undergrowth of very thick tea-tree heathlands/woodlands.
In 2006, honours student Luca Ferla investigated the micro-habitat usage of southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus) within a dense heathlands and open woodlands at The Royal Botanical Gardens (Cranbourne Annex). Luca fitted small spools of cotton to the base of the tails of bandicoots before releasing the bandicoots back into the area from which they had been captured. Over the next couple of days, Luca was able to retrace the exact movements of the bandicoots by following the trails of cotton. Furthermore, by comparing the structural, soil and floristic characteristics of the spool trail compared to random areas one meter away from the cotton trail, Luca was able to investigate the micro-habitat selections exercised by bandicoots. This research provided valuable insights into the ranging patterns of bandicoots, as well as provide management with more details about the habitat usage of bandicoots.
In 2005, honours student Ingrid Stava investigated the habitat usage and activity patterns of southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus) at The Royal Botanical Gardens (Cranbourne Annex). Ingrid radio tracked a number of individuals over extended periods and was able to determine the relative usage of various habitats. This research provided valuable insights into the ranging patterns of bandicoots, as well as provide management with more details about the habitat usage of bandicoots.
