Indian Bandicoot (Bandicota Indica Indica)

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Sinhalese: Uru-miya

Tamil: Peritchelli

Description: A very large rodent averaging 610 mm overall length, the tail being 300 mm long. The sexes are similar, but male usually larger and heavier than females.

Distribution: Found mainly in the more humid districts and moderately plentiful at all elevation. Does not favor the dry zone lowlands.

Habits: The diet consist mainly of tuberous roots including yams. Potatoes and bulbs, but grains and seeds are also taken and the bark of certain shrubs. Constructs extensive burrows which can play havoc in a garden and even undermine the foundations of a building. Nocturnal by nature and prefers good and deep cover near water. A good swimmer but an abject coward, making no attempt to escape when cornered or trapped.

Breeding: The two young are born in a nest chamber in female’s burrow and breeding is intermittent throughout the year.

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