What specific food item caused released bandicoots on Phillip Island to become "especially fat"?
Answer
Local crustaceans
Observations made on Phillip Island provided an insight into the maximum potential body condition achievable by the Eastern Barred Bandicoot when environmental stressors are removed. Researchers noted that upon release into this predator-free haven, the bandicoots thrived, becoming 'especially fat.' This condition was directly linked to their diet in this novel environment, where they actively feasted on the abundant local crustaceans available on the island, suggesting that a rich, reliable food source, combined with the absence of predation, enables them to achieve weights potentially closer to or exceeding the larger Tasmanian averages.
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