Raffray's bandicoots have a distinct odor similar to aged cheddar cheese. The life expectancy of P. raffrayana is approximately 2.5-3.5 years (Flannery, 1996).
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
Populations of P. raffrayana are secure. One subspecies, Peroryctes raffrayana rothschildi, has been identified in the Huon Peninsula of New Guinea (Flannery, 1996).
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Raffray's Bandicoots are hunted and eaten by the natives of New Guinea (Lawlor, 1979).
Peroryctes raffrayana is largely insectivorous and omnivorous, sometimes eating small vertebrates, invertebrates, and vegetation. Mianmin hunters observe that the fruiting fig Amomeam is a favored food(Flannery, 1996).
Perorctyes raffrayana is widespread throughout the island of New Guinea.
Biogeographic Regions: oceanic islands (Native )
Peroryctes raffrayana usually inhabit undisturbed rainforest and are commonly found in a range of elevations from 850-1200 m. They also sometimes are found in higher and lower areas, with the exceptions of the woodlands and savannah of southern New Guinea and extreme low-lying areas (Flannery, 1996).
Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; mountains
Typical lifespan
Status: captivity: 3 (low) years.
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 3.2 (high) years.
Raffray's Bandicoots have an unpatterned, medium to dark brown coat and coarse fur. They are approximately 30 cm in length. Their snout is long and narrow, and they have insectivore-like dentition, small ears, and a long non-prehensile tail. The hindfoot is highly specialized and elongated for running and hopping, with reduction in the number of digits in both the forefoot and hindfoot (Vaughan, 1986). Peroryctes raffrayana can be distinguished from other species of bandicoots by their smaller size, darker coloration, and lack of a white tail tip (Flannery, 1996).
Range mass: 0.65 to 1 kg.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Raffray's Bandicoots have a short gestation period (about 15 days), and their young mature rapidly, nursing for approximately 60 days. A true chorioallantoic placenta develops, as in all Peramelidae (Vaughan, 1986). Peroryctes raffrayana are polyestrous, and usually have a litter of between one and six young. Young Raffray's Bandicoots forage with their mothers for a few nights after weaning, then separate to lead a solitary life (Stonehouse, 1977).
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average number of offspring: 3.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 150 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 90 days.
Raffray's bandicoot (Peroryctes raffrayana) is a species of marsupial in the family Peroryctidae. It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.[2]
It is known as pakam in the Kalam language of Papua New Guinea.[3]
Raffray's bandicoot (Peroryctes raffrayana) is a species of marsupial in the family Peroryctidae. It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
It is known as pakam in the Kalam language of Papua New Guinea.
