jdelgadoesteban's Journal

Quenda is a short-nosed bandicoot, a type of marsupial, found mostly in southern Australia. It is also known as the quenda in South Western Australia.

Quenda (Isoodon fusciventer) from the Noongar word 'kwinda', was previously known as the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus).

It was elevated to species level in 2018: Travouillon, K. J., & Phillips, M. J. (2018). Total evidence analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of bandicoots and bilbies (Marsupialia: Peramelemorphia): reassessment of two species and description of a new species. Zootaxa, 4378(2), 224-256.

https://bit.ly/3GJSQdu

With the aid of several passive infrared-triggered cameras placed around our backyard, we have been studying the activity and feeding patterns of this nocturnal marsupial and the importance of urban environments.

After a month or so we had a good idea of where to place a professional DLSR and obtain better-quality images. We work with a Canon 5D Mark II running Magic Lantern to allow motion detection. 2 Canon Speedlite off-camera via ETTL, 580 EX II and 430 EX II. High ISO to minimise flash power over the subject.

Although the Quenda is territorial we have observed that sometimes a large visiting adult individual seems to tolerate the presence of a second younger one, perhaps a grown-up Joey and mom.

On one occasion we observed a high-speed chase of 4 Quendas which was very unusual. We were under the impression that the individuals might have been running away from a domestic cat but we have also observed that at least 3 different domestic cats sometimes relatively close to the Quendas showing no interest whatsoever in the charismatic bandicoot.

The southern brown bandicoot is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, populations have declined markedly and become much more fragmented in the time since European expansion on the Australian mainland. In many areas of its range, the species is threatened locally, while it may be common where rainfall is high enough and vegetation cover is thick enough. Apart from habitat fragmentation, the species is under pressure from introduced predators.