Golden bandicoot  (Isoodon auratus)

The golden bandicoot is a small omnivorous marsupial found in Australia (4). This mammal is ratlike in appearance, with a small hunched body posture and a long tail. It has large muscular hind limbs, short forelimbs and forefeet with three toes bearing flat claws. Unlike other marsupials, bandicoots have fused toes on their hind feet, which form a comb for grooming (3). Most bandicoots have noticeably long snouts and large ears. However, this species belongs to the genus Isoodon, the short-nosed bandicoots, which have shorter muzzles (3). The ears are small and rounded, and females have a rear-opening pouch containing eight teats (3). As its name suggests, this small marsupial’s fur is a golden-brown colour (3).