Short-Tailed Dwarf Bandicoots – Sweet Smiles, the Happiest Animals in the World
This article introduces a very cute animal, the dwarf bandicoot of Australia.
Seeing the pictures, you will find it is really cute and adorable.
Dwarf bandicoot. It is one of the smallest bandicoots, with a height of no more than 60cm. Dwarf bandicoots are of the order of Bagidae, resembling a mouse. They mainly live in the outskirts of the Lord Howe Island outside Australia's southwest coast. Because of their chubby faces and 'sweet' smiles, they are called 'the happiest animals in the world'.
Only one species, no subspecies differentiation. It is listed as an endangered species on the Red List of the World Natural Protection Alliance.
As an endangered species on the Red List, the dwarf bandicoot is prohibited from being sold, but they are not afraid of humans and enjoy close contact with humans.
Its body is short and stout, with a humpbacked posture. As its name suggests, it has a short tail. It has a forehead with dark stripes, short and rounded ears, and a protruding nose. Unlike its relatives, the dwarf bandicoot has short and developed hind legs, which allow it to jump or climb trees up to 1.5 meters high.
Dwarf bandicoots often appear in various habitats, most commonly in dense forests, open woodlands and shrubs near freshwater areas. Although they seem to prefer dense vegetation and humid areas, they also live extensively in the seasonal drought and harsh environment of Lord Howe Island. On the Australian mainland, dwarf bandicoots appear to be limited to swampy areas with dense vegetation around, preferring to inhabit thickets or other dark places to avoid the heat of summer, where they spend most of the year, but sometimes change location
Dwarf bandicoots live in small family groups, led by the dominant male among them. This hierarchy is generally stable during the hot summer months. The overlapping activity ranges of dwarf bandicoot families reflect their non-territoriality. They are very friendly animals, and most of the time they peacefully share habitats, without arguing because of 150 other individuals in their territory range. However, in the hot summer, males will fight for the best shelter.
They feed on local grass, leaves, seeds and rhizomes, swallowing them and immediately regurgitating and chewing them. They often dig water holes or take succulent plants like cacti to obtain water, although they may not have drunk water for several months, their extraordinary ability allows them to reuse some of their waste.
The dwarf bandicoot's short stature and high jumping ability make it a master of thickets, creating escape routes in thickets or dense vegetation to face the threat of predators.
In the wild, the average lifespan of males is 10 years, and that of females is 10 years. Under artificial breeding, the average lifespan of females is 7 years. The overall average lifespan is 5 years.
Before the arrival of European colonists to the southwest coast of Australia, the number and distribution of dwarf bandicoots were abundant and widespread. However, the introduction of domesticated predators such as cats, foxes and dogs, and animals attracted by human settlements, such as predatory birds and feral dogs, led to a significant decline in the population of dwarf bandicoots in their habitat.
Due to the increasing settlement, their natural habitat in the Australian mainland is limited to small areas, and the reduction of daytime resting places is considered as an indication of population decline. In addition, Lord Howe Island was developed for recreation, reducing the habitat of dwarf bandicoots and increasing the spread of disease. Every year attracts a large number of tourists to feed them, changing their feeding habits and diurnal habits, which is often detrimental to their health.
