The Bandicoot: A Little Gardener Beneath Our Feet

In the underbrush of Australia’s south and southeast, a small, shy marsupial is quietly performing some of the most important work in our ecosystems. The Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) may not have the fame of kangaroos or koalas, but when it comes to ecological impact, this little digger is a heavyweight.

Meet the Bandicoot

This stocky, short-snouted marsupial weighs between 400 grams and 1.2 kilograms, depending on sex and region. It thrives in low scrub, heath, and woodland with dense ground cover. Unlike the tree-dwelling marsupials we often picture, the bandicoot lives on the ground, using its long claws and sharp nose to rummage through leaf litter and soil for invertebrates, fungi, and plant roots.

Rather than simply existing within its habitat, the bandicoot transforms it.

Once a common sight across South Australia, eight species of bandicoot once roamed the state. Today, only the Southern Brown Bandicoot remains. Habitat loss caused by land clearing, infrastructure, and agriculture, along with predation from foxes and cats, has pushed this species onto the Endangered list under the EPBC Act.

Bandicoots rely on dense native undergrowth to hide from predators. As land is fragmented across the Fleurieu Peninsula and Mount Lofty Ranges, many populations have become isolated, unable to move or breed safely between bushland areas.

Why This Small Creature Matters

Soil Turning and Ecosystem Engineering

The Southern Brown Bandicoot may be small, but it moves an astonishing amount of soil. Research in Western Australia’s Yalgorup National Park found that a single bandicoot creates around 45 new foraging pits each day, shifting about 10.7 kilograms of soil daily. That’s nearly 4 tonnes of soil turned over every year by one animal.

This constant digging rejuvenates the earth. Each pit breaks up hardened soil, improves water absorption, and draws buried organic matter to the surface. Studies show that seedlings grown in soil disturbed by bandicoots grow taller, heavier, and faster than those in untouched soil. These little foragers are natural gardeners, physically transforming their environment in ways that help countless other species thrive.

Distribution, Fragmentation and Genetic Connectivity

Once widespread across southeastern Australia, the Southern Brown Bandicoot’s range has shrunk dramatically due to habitat clearing and the spread of introduced predators. Genetic studies in South Australia reveal reduced gene flow and greater isolation caused by agriculture and development. Without targeted conservation, scientists predict that up to 84 percent of local populations could disappear within a century. The loss of bandicoots would ripple through the environment, undermining the soil processes that sustain healthy, diverse ecosystems.

Habitat Use and Resilience

Despite these challenges, the Southern Brown Bandicoot shows impressive adaptability. Studies have found that it can survive in modified landscapes, including roadside reserves and drainage channels, as long as there is thick undergrowth and protection from predators. This resilience gives conservationists hope. If habitat corridors, dense vegetation, and predator control are maintained, these remarkable marsupials can continue living alongside us, quietly keeping ecosystems in balance.

Spotlight: The Bandicoot Superhighway Project

The Bandicoot Superhighway Project, a community-led initiative supported by the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, is helping reconnect fragmented habitats and restore landscapes across South Australia.

So far, the project has achieved:

• 44 hectares of habitat rehabilitation and restoration
• 34,669 native seedlings planted to rebuild shelter and foraging areas
• 100+ wildlife cameras installed to monitor local populations
• Community workshops empowering residents to protect these important ecosystem engineers

By restoring vegetation and improving connectivity across the Fleurieu Peninsula, the project helps bandicoots move freely, breed safely, and continue their crucial role in maintaining soil health. It’s a powerful example of how science, community, and conservation can come together to heal landscapes.

Helping bandicoots helps the land recover. Through community engagement, locals are encouraged to get involved – from tree planting and wildlife monitoring to supporting ongoing restoration through donations.

How You Can Help

Bandicoot recovery starts with small actions that add up to big impact. You can help protect these unsung heroes by:

• Planting or gifting a native tree to restore their habitat. Every native tree contributes to shade, shelter, and insect life that supports bandicoots.
• Becoming a Habitat Hero through the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, supporting hands-on conservation work that keeps ecosystems connected.
• Keeping cats indoors and dogs on leads in bushland to reduce predation risks.
• Reporting sightings to help community monitoring and citizen science programs.

Your gifted tree becomes part of a living chain that supports bandicoots, biodiversity, and a healthier Australia.