Pig-footed bandicoot

The Pig-footed Bandicoot (Chaeropus ecaudatus) once lived in Australia, but is now extinct. It ranged from Western Australia, through South Australia and the southern part of the Northern Territory, to southwestern New South Wales and western Victoria in a variety of habitatss. It got its name from their forefeet, which had only two functional toes with hoof-like nails. It became extinct in the 20th century, but before that their numbers were declining through the second part of the 19th century. The cause of their extinction remains unanswered. The most destructive species, foxes and rabbits, were introduced later than their decline started. The most plausible reason of their decline is that with the settlement of Europeans in Australia, their habitat changed by introducing livestock and putting an end to aboriginal land-management. The aboriginals before the Europeans settlers burned small areas to provide fresh, regenerated areas, with a new supply of food.

Picture of a pig-footed bandicoot specimen by Peter Halasz, licensed under GFDL.

Links

IUCN 2004. 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.