Perameles is a genus of marsupial animals belonging to the family Peramelidae. It is commonly known as the bandicoots or rabbit-bandicoots. These small to medium-sized marsupials are predominantly found in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands.
The word "Perameles" originates from the Greek terms "peri," meaning "around," and "amelēs," meaning "nostril." This refers to a distinct characteristic of the genus: having a completely encircled nasal region that appears as a distinct band or ring, setting them apart from other marsupials.
Bandicoots are known for their rabbit-like appearance, with a slender body, long tail, and pointy snout. They have well-developed hind legs, which enable them to move swiftly and hop like a rabbit. These animals are primarily nocturnal, spending their days in burrows or nests, and emerging at dusk to forage for food.
They have a diverse diet, feeding on a wide range of invertebrates, such as insects, worms, and small invertebrates, as well as plant matter like tubers, roots, and fruits. Some species exhibit omnivorous behavior, where they include small vertebrates in their diet.
Bandicoots are characterized by their remarkable reproductive pattern. Females have a unique backward-facing pouch, exceptional among marsupials, in which they carry and nurse their young. Mating can occur throughout the year, and after a gestation period of around 12 to 15 days, females give birth to tiny, underdeveloped young, which then crawl into the pouch and attach to a teat. Here, they continue to grow and develop until they are sufficiently developed to emerge from the pouch
