Greater Bandicoot-rat (Bandicota indica) lives in tropical forests across Southeast Asia. It feeds on grains and insects. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Greater Bandicoot-rat
- A single greater bandicoot rat can stretch up to 45 cm long, not counting its 28-cm naked tail, about the length of a school ruler plus a small backpack. That size lets it tunnel through brick and masonry, a habit that can ruin garden walls and floorboards. Its dark gray-brown coat, streaked with long black hairs.
- Female greater bandicoot rats produce between eight and ten litters in their roughly one-year lifespan, each litter containing eight to fourteen blind, hairless pups. Those pups hit sexual maturity in just 50 to 60 days, meaning a single female can spawn a new generation before the previous one even reaches adulthood.
- When threatened, greater bandicoot rats raise stiff guard hairs along their backs and emit low grunts, a warning display that sometimes scares away dogs and cats. Their aggression is so intense that individuals locked together in a cage may fight to the death within a few hours.
- The greater bandicoot rat's range spans Asian countries, from Bangladesh and India to Vietnam and Indonesia. Its adaptability to diverse habitats, from garden outskirts to roadside garbage dumps, allows it to thrive wherever human waste accumulates.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSoutheast Asia
HabitatTropical forests
DietGrains and insects
About the Greater Bandicoot-rat
In the lush undergrowth of tropical forests, the Greater Bandicoot-rat moves with purpose, its sturdy legs and sharp claws propelling it through the dense vegetation with a quiet confidence. As it forages for seeds, fruits, and insects, its long, pointed snout twitches with an almost imperceptible sensitivity, guiding it through the complex tapestry of its surroundings. With its earthy brown coat and robust build, this unassuming rodent navigates its world with a humble yet unyielding determination, a testament to the enduring power of adaptation in the natural world.
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