Northern pig-footed bandicoot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern pig-footed bandicoot |
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| Conservation status | |
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Extinct (1950s)
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The northern pig-footed bandicoot (Chaeropus yirratji) was a small animal that lived in Australia. It was a type of marsupial, which means it carried its babies in a pouch. This animal is now extinct, meaning it no longer exists anywhere in the world. It was a herbivore, meaning it only ate plants.
People believe this bandicoot became extinct around the 1950s. The last time scientists officially saw one was in 1901 near Alice Springs. However, some Aboriginal people living in the Gibson Desert and Great Sandy Desert reported seeing them as late as the 1950s.
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About the Northern Pig-Footed Bandicoot
The northern pig-footed bandicoot was very similar to its cousin, the southern pig-footed bandicoot. For a long time, scientists thought they were the same species. But later, they found out they were different.
What it Looked Like
The northern pig-footed bandicoot had some special features that made it unique:
- It had a longer tail than its southern cousin.
- Its back feet were also longer.
- It had different teeth.
- It had fewer holes in the roof of its mouth (called the palate).
- Its fur had a distinct color.
This bandicoot could have at least two different fur colors. Some were light-colored, and others were dark-colored. This is called having different color morphs.
Where it Lived
Unlike the southern pig-footed bandicoot, the northern pig-footed bandicoot only lived in grassland areas. These grasslands were found in the deserts of central and western Australia. It preferred these dry, grassy places.
Why it Disappeared
Scientists believe the northern pig-footed bandicoot went extinct for a few main reasons:
- New Animals: Red foxes and feral cats were brought to Australia. These animals hunted the bandicoots, which they were not used to.
- Habitat Loss: The places where the bandicoots lived were changed. This was often because land was used for livestock like sheep or cattle. This change in their habitat made it hard for them to find food and shelter.
These challenges were too much for the northern pig-footed bandicoot, leading to its extinction.
