The name Bandicoot comes from the Indian word for "rat".

Bandicoots are pointy-nosed marsupials from Australia and New Guinea. 
There are 19 different species of bandicoots that live in plains, forests
and deserts. 
The bandicoot's pouch faces backwards so that dirt doesn't enter the pouch. 
These burrowing mammals are in danger of extinction. 

Bandicoots and bilbies are nocturnal (most active at night). 
Digging with strong, clawed feet, these solitary mammals excavate long,complex burrows. 

Anatomy: Bandicoots range from 11-32 inches (28-81 cm) long with an 8 inch (20 cm) tail. 
They have powerful, clawed hind legs. 
The bilby is about 15 inches (38 cm) long with an 8 inch (20 cm) tail. 
Its sense of hearing and smell are excellent but its vision is poor. 

Diet: Both the bandicoot and bilby are omnivores (eating both plants and animals). 
It eats insects (like termites),lizards,mice,worms,snails,fruit,seed and some plants. 
Again both bandicoots and the bilby need very little water and get the water they need 
from their food. 
They obtain food mostly at dawn and at dusk. 

Predators: Bandicoots and bilbies are both hunted by foxes and feral cats. 
Both retreat into their burrows for protection. 

The common gestation period is about 12.5 days, the shortest known 
for any mammal. 
The average litter is two to four, and is about 0.25 grams in weight. 
Bandicoots are born with their eyes shut. 
The eyes open at about 44 or 48 days after birth. 
They spend their first nine to ten weeks in their mother's pouch. 
They grow quickly and are weaned at the age of about 11 weeks.