Spiny Bandicoots: Peroryctidae

Like all bandicoots, spiny bandicoots are omnivores, meaning they eat both animals and plants. Most of their diet consists of insects, insect larvae, earthworms, spiders, centipedes, bulbs, seeds, and fallen fruit. Spiny bandicoots appear to eat more vegetable material, especially fruit, than true bandicoots. This may be because fruit is more available in the damp habitats they prefer than in the dry habitats preferred by true bandicoots. They either lick their food off the ground or dig for it with their strong claws. They can dig holes up to 5 inches (13 centimeters) deep and scoop out the food with their long tongues.