New Guinean long-nosed bandicoot

The genus of the Great Guinea - bandicoot ( Peroryctes ) belongs to the New Guinea bandicoots ( Peroryctinae ) and includes two species, which, as the name suggests, live in New Guinea.

With a head-body length of up to 56 centimeters and a weight of up to five kilograms, these animals are the largest bandicoot. Their fur is long and relatively soft. Like all bandicoot they have an elongated snout, relatively small ears and a long, but not prehensile tail. The long hind legs of this species are an indication that they run fast or can even hop.

Habitat of these animals are rainforests up to 4000 meters. They live on the forest floor and are nocturnal loner. For sleeping they build nests of twigs or grasses on the ground. They are omnivorous, feeding on insects and small vertebrates, but also of fruit.

After about 15 days of gestation period from one to six pups are born. With about 60 days, they are weaned, then they stay for a short time near the mother before they begin their maverick life. Life expectancy is estimated at 2.5 to 3.5 years.

The genus of the Great Guinea - bandicoot is divided into two types:

• Peroryctes raffrayana inhabited throughout New Guinea and smaller offshore islands. His fur is dark brown in color at the top, sometimes with black patterns. The underside is lighter, yellow or light brown. The species reaches a body length from 18 to 38 centimeters, a tail length of 11-23 centimeters and a weight of 650-1000 grams. Their habitat are forests from 500 to 4000 meters above sea level.

• Peroryctes broadbenti is also dyed dark brown at the top, but the sides are reddish, and the belly white. The species reaches a body length 39-56 cm, a tail length of 12-33 centimeters and a weight of up to five kilograms. He lives in southeastern Guinea.

The habitat destruction and hunting due to their meat among the main threats to New Guinea bandicoots. While Peroryctes raffrayana still common and it is " not at risk " by the IUCN ( least concern ) is classified Peroryctes applies broadbenti as rare and as " high risk " ( endangered ) classified.