
%0 Journal Article
%A Scott, L. K. 
%A Hume, I. D. 
%A Dickman, C. R. 
%T Ecology and population biology of long-nosed bandicoots (<emph type="2">Perameles nasuta</emph>) at North Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
%J Wildlife Research
%D 1999/09/17
%V 26
%N 6
%P 805-821
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/WR98074
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/WR98074 
%X The population biology, habitat utilisation and diet of a small, isolated population of long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) was studied over a 22-month period at North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park, New South Wales. Reproductive output in this urban environment was high, with a mean litter size of 2.3 and production of up to four litters per year. The peak of reproductive activity was in late spring and early summer, with a cessation of breeding in late autumn or early winter. The main causes of death were identified as road trauma (58% &#8211; probably an overestimate because of the ease of finding road deaths) and predation by cats and foxes (37% &#8211; probably an underestimate because of the difficulty of locating carcasses unless radio-collared). Bandicoots utilised all macrohabitats (open grassed areas, heath, forest, swamp and scrub), but extensively used open grassed areas for foraging. Males had larger home ranges (4.4 &#177; 0.8 ha) than females (1.7 &#177; 0.2 ha). The largest home ranges of males coincided with the peak of the breeding season (September&#8211;November). Throughout the year P. nasuta fed primarily on beetles, invertebrate larvae and ants, but also on other invertebrates and on plant and fungal material. Some vertebrate and human- derived material (birdseed, vegetable scraps, plastic, twine) was also eaten. Although remarkably adaptable in its reproductive and dietary strategies, this population of long-nosed bandicoots is likely to follow other urban bandicoot populations toward extinction unless there is active management to reduce the high rate of mortality from motor vehicles and introduced predators. 
