Bandicoot

marsupial · Australia · nocturnal · omnivore

Pouched hunters. Bandicoots are marsupials, which means they carry their babies in a pouch like kangaroos do. There are more than 20 different species of bandicoots living in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands.

Night shift eaters. Bandicoots are mostly nocturnal, which means they come out to hunt and forage when it gets dark. They use their excellent sense of smell to find insects, worms, roots, and berries to eat.

Super speedy diggers. These small to medium-sized animals are famous for digging rapidly to find food and make burrows. Their strong front legs help them dig into soil and turn over leaf litter in search of tasty meals.

Island hoppers. Bandicoots live across a huge region from Australia all the way to New Guinea and even reach islands like the Bismarck Archipelago far out in the ocean.