Golden Bandicoot (Barrow Island)

Isoodon auratus barrowensis

Australia's Threatened Species Category

Vulnerable

Listed since: 11/04/2014

IUCN's Threatened Species Category

Vulnerable

Listed since: 31/12/2012

Population trend: Decreasing

Other names: None

Priority Species? No

The Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 selected over 100 priority species derive from consultation with threatened species experts and the wider community. While all species are important, focusing on a limited number of species can help target effort and resources so that outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared.

Description

The Golden Bandicoot (Barrow Island) is small golden-brown marsupial which is slightly smaller and has slightly darker fur than the Golden Bandicoot (mainland). Barrow Islands is a limestone island where the bandicoots use the grasslands and limestones caves for sheltering. They are omnivores and feed on ants, termites, moths, shorebird and turtle eggs.

Threats

The high population density and large population size, together with the relatively safe status of Barrow Island, does not imply high security as a single isolated population is highly vulnerable to novel influences or catastrophic events such as an island-wide bushfire.