Bandicoot 'baby boom' gives conservationists hope for endangered species after 150-year absence

Bandicoot 'baby boom' gives conservationists hope for endangered species after 150-year absence

Bandicoot 'baby boom' gives conservationists hope for endangered species after 150-year absence It’s fair to say that the video game developers of “Crash Bandicoot” took some creative liberties when it came to capturing the likeness of the Australian marsupial — especially when it comes to Crash’s bright red fur and trademark jean shorts.  In reality, bandicoots are typically gray, brown, or cream-colored and look more akin to shrews. Their V-shaped faces are framed by large, rounded ears, a pronounced nose, and twin rows of tiny, sharp teeth.   Unfortunately, several species — including the eastern barred bandicoot and southern brown bandicoot — are endangered due to habitat loss and mounting threats from predators like wild cats and foxes.  But in recent years, conservationists have raised particular alarm surrounding the decline of a third species: the shark bay bandicoot.  The shark bay bandicoot, which is the smallest species of bandicoot, once thrived across the broad expanse…