western australia

western bandicoot

A quenda came to dinner

@JudyEv (342516)

Rockingham, Australia

December 3, 2023 1:36am CST

When we were at my brother-in-law’s place a few days ago, a quenda joined us. We were sitting under the patio enjoying a barbecue when the quenda or western brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus fusciventer), came sniffing around our feet looking for something to eat. They are small marsupials with a long pointed snout and a short hairless tail. They range from 40–50 cm (16–20 in). The one we saw in the evening would have been an adult but we saw a much smaller one next morning. The long muzzle and powerful front claws are designed for digging in the soil after grubs and arthropods, although they also eat roots and fungi. My BIL has a love-hate relationship with them as they are forever burrowing under his plants and uprooting them. The unique conical diggings actually aerate the soil, allowing nutrients to cycle more efficiently. The pouch is backwards facing so that it doesn’t fill with with dirt when the quenda is digging. And now I just have to hope that Vince’s photo loads.

13 people like this

13 responses

@LadyDuck (472291)

• Switzerland

3 Dec 23

What a shame that Vince’s photo did not load, no lack at all with the photo in the past months here. Those little marsupials sound friendly, but I would not appreciate to see them uproot my plants.

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

They do a lot of digging in the garden so are quite a pest in that respect.

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@LadyDuck (472291)

• Switzerland

12 Dec 23

That is annoying, here we have moles, they also dig under the vegetables and flowers, and they are a protected species.

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Dec 23

@LadyDuck That would be similar to these, just meaning that they are protected too.

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@FourWalls (69485)

• United States

8 Dec 23

It looks a little like a mouse (from the picture on your other discussion). Most Australian animals are adorable. Especially the quokka!

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@FourWalls (69485)

• United States

12 Dec 23

@JudyEv — it’s a wonderful animal. Love watching those “quokka selfie” videos.

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@FourWalls (69485)

• United States

14 Dec 23

@JudyEv — smart move! They’ll get business. There’s a chain of gas/convenient store out of Texas called Buc-ee’s, and everybody goes there because of their cute beaver logo!!

https://buc-ees.com/

https://buc-ees.com/

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

I know what you're saying. They'd be at least as big as the biggest rat you'd ever see. The quokka seems to have a permanent smile on its face.

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@RebeccasFarm (90571)

• Arvada, Colorado

4 Dec 23

Dang no photo..I would have loved to see him.

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@RebeccasFarm (90571)

• Arvada, Colorado

12 Dec 23

@JudyEv Oh my he would frighten me looking like a rat. Thanks Judy

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

I'll add him here for you. He's a bit like a rat I guess but bigger.

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Vicki, #1 Creek Girl

@1creekgirl (41843)

• United States

3 Dec 23

Oh dear, I hope later the photo will load. I'd love to see that creature!

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Vicki, #1 Creek Girl

@1creekgirl (41843)

• United States

12 Dec 23

@JudyEv I'm sorry, but he looks too much like a rat to me.

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Dec 23

@1creekgirl I completely understand. Many would say the same.

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

Here it is. It's pretty cute when it's completely ignoring you.

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@Ronrybs (19621)

• London, England

3 Dec 23

Always the way! Very helpful animals when they are not digging up your plants they are keeping the soil healthy

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Dec 23

@Ronrybs Haha - sometimes it's a bit hard to figure out exactly what their place should be - humans, that is.

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

Yes, these little creatures have their place in the bigger scheme of things.

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@Ronrybs (19621)

• London, England

12 Dec 23

@JudyEv And then, along came humans!

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@dgobucks226 (35806)

•

9 Dec 23

Australia has the coolest looking animals. Although some might get squeamish (especially in the U.S.) having a rodent like animal at your feet trying to get some leftovers.

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

For many people, the quenda is too much like a rat for them to be comfortable about it. I guess Australians are more used to them.

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Dec 23

@dgobucks226 Yes, I think that would be the case.

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@dgobucks226 (35806)

•

14 Dec 23

@JudyEv Kind of like chipmunks and squirrels for us. Were used to seeing them around.

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@GardenGerty (161165)

• United States

4 Dec 23

If I ever write an animal alphabet I now have something for "Q". Now I just need an "X". Any suggestions?

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

I had to cheat but the Xerus looks quite cute. It's an African ground squirrel. They are ground-dwelling and related to prairie dogs and marmots.

@AmbiePam (94545)

• United States

3 Dec 23

I have only seen them on an Irwin special on Animal Planet.

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

Wow! Fancy him show-casing them.

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@jstory07 (140390)

• Roseburg, Oregon

3 Dec 23

That sounds like a neat little animal.

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

They are very cute really although quite rat-like.

@wolfgirl569 (108858)

• Marion, Ohio

3 Dec 23

Wish the photos would load again. It would be cute when it's not digging

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

It's so annoying when the photos won't load but I've added it to several comments here now.

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@RasmaSandra (81127)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

4 Dec 23

I have an idea of what a bandicoot looks like, I hope your photo will load,

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

I've loaded it for Ocean Tiara and also used it in another discussion.

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@LindaOHio (183044)

• United States

3 Dec 23

I would have loved to see the picture. Have a great day.

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

I've added the photo several times so I hope you can scan through and see it.

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@Beestring (14721)

• Hong Kong

3 Dec 23

Cannot see any photo. Is quenda commonly found in Australia?

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@JudyEv (342516)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 23

They are reasonably common but are always at the mercy of cats and dogs.

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