Peroryctes raffrayana
Raffray's bandicoot

Perorctyes raffrayana is widespread throughout the island of New Guinea.

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).

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).

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).

Most P. raffrayana build ground nests of twigs, grass, and debris, often in thick vegetation. Although most animals of the order Peramelemorphia are territorial and solitary except during breeding seasons, female Raffray's Bandicoots have been observed nesting communally. Males range widely over areas inhabited by several females. There is no association between the sexes until periods of estrus (Stonehouse, 1977). P. raffrayana rarely ventures into new forest or regrowth areas. They are creposcular, with most feeding taking place between 7 and 9 p.m. (Flannery, 1996).

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).

Raffray's Bandicoots are hunted and eaten by the natives of New Guinea (Lawlor, 1979).

Populations of P. raffrayana are secure. One subspecies, Peroryctes raffrayana rothschildi, has been identified in the Huon Peninsula of New Guinea (Flannery, 1996).

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).