Southern Brown Bandicoot (eastern)  |  

Isoodon obesulus obesulus

Status: Endangered on the EPBC Act list

The Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) is a medium sized ground dwelling marsupial with a long tapering snout, a naked nose, a compact body and a short tail. Males weigh between 500–1850 g and females 400–1200 g. They have an average body length of 33 cm for males and 30 cm for females, with an average tail length of 11.3 and 12.4 cm for females and males respectively. Southern Brown Bandicoots have small rounded ears and small black eyes. The dorsal surface of the body usually appears grey-brown at a distance but grizzled (with golden-brown flecks) at close range because of banded spiny guard hairs. The underparts and forefeet are creamy white or pale yellow in colour, and the tail brown above and creamy yellow below. The forelegs are short with curved claws on each of the five digits, and the hind limbs much longer. The hind feet have five toes, with the first digit small and clawless, while the second and thirds digits are fused.

Government evidence of impact of climate change:

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  • Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Isoodon obesulus obesulus

    Mortalities associated Moderate Minor Road kills have been observed. with road traffic Habitat change due to Moderate Minor There is some correlative evidence. livestock and other non native herbivores Climate change Moderate Large Risks to southern brown bandicoot habitat are outlined in Brereton et al. (1995).
    Populations increase with increasing time since fire and increased density of ground cover (Claridge Barry 2000) data suggests that burnt areas in the Mt Lofty ranges have insufficient vegetation density to sustain bandicoot populations for at least four years post fire; depending on the habitat type (SA DEWNR 2015).
    Evidence that populations increase with increasing time since fire and increased density of ground cover (Claridge Barry 2000).
    There is increased pressure to undertake prescribed burning programs across 5 of high risk land (SA DEWNR 2014).
    Evidence that impacts of predation (mainly by foxes and cats) can be severe post fire (SA DEWNR 2015).
    Impacts of wildfires on the Grampians have resulted in less than 10 percent of the habitat being older than 10 years; and drought conditions have limited regrowth (Vic DELWP 2015) this has likely impacted on recovery as small mammal recovery post fire is linked to vegetation structure and food resource availability (Monamy Fox 2000 Arthur et al.; 2012).
    Implement appropriate fire regimes High that minimise impacts on the bandicoot; including increasing the extent of long unburnt (mature) vegetation and maintaining dense ground cover.
    Impacts of wildfires on the Grampians have resulted in less than 10 percent of the habitat being older than 10 years; and drought conditions have limited regrowth (Vic DELWP 2015) this has likely impacted on recovery as small mammal recovery post fire is linked to vegetation structure and food resource availability (Monamy Fox 2000 Arthur et al.; 2012).