Wildlifeof Nepal
Greater Bandicoot Rat
Rats, Mice, Voles & Porcupines
Photo: (c) sunnyjosef, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Bandicota indica
Basic stats
Diet
Household refuse, grain and vegetables
Habitat
Around human dwellings, compounds, gardens and rubbish bins
Litter size
8–14 pups
Size
30–45cm without tail; tail up to 28cm
The greater bandicoot rat grows to about 30 to 45cm without the tail, which can reach 28cm. It is not fussy about food, eating household refuse, grain and vegetables, and is a serious pest on poultry farms. It lives around human dwellings, in compounds and gardens and near rubbish bins (Wikipedia, general species account).
Litters are large, with 8 to 14 pups born blind and naked, and a female has between eight and ten litters in her life. Young reach sexual maturity at 50 to 60 days. It is found across Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam and elsewhere. Nationally Least Concern (Nepal National Red List 2011).
Quick answers
- What does the Greater Bandicoot Rat eat?
- Household refuse, grain and vegetables
- What habitat does the Greater Bandicoot Rat live in?
- Around human dwellings, compounds, gardens and rubbish bins
- What is the litter size of the Greater Bandicoot Rat?
- 8–14 pups
- How big is the Greater Bandicoot Rat?
- 30–45cm without tail; tail up to 28cm