New kids on the block!

We are super excited to announce the arrival of our first-ever bandicoots, with two one-year-old females named Crash and Hazel now calling the zoo home.

The adorable pair, each weighing just one kilogram, have made their debut in the zoo's nocturnal display just in time for the school holidays, sharing their spacious new digs with two yellow-bellied gliders and one bettong.

The northern brown bandicoots are native to the coastlines of northern and eastern Australia, where they spend their nights foraging for plants, insects, and small critters like lizards and snails. These pocket-sized marsupials can grow up to 2.1kg and 47cm long.

While northern brown bandicoots aren't endangered, other species are facing extinction such as the eastern barred bandicoot and the golden bandicoot due to shrinking bushland around suburban areas. Domestic cats and foxes pose a significant threat to the species, as they often enjoy hunting at night when bandicoots are most active.

"We're absolutely chuffed to have bandicoots at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo for the first time," said Chloe Thomas, Keeper at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. "Crash and Hazel have settled in beautifully after their quarantine period. Even their roommates, the two yellow-bellied gliders, were excited to meet their new neighbours, poking their heads out to say hello. The bilby, one of Australia's most beloved marsupials, is actually a type of bandicoot originally called the rabbit-eared bandicoot. The name was later simplified to 'bilby' to prevent confusion with rabbits."

Visit us these school holidays and find Crash and Hazel in our Nocturnal zone, where their night-time behaviour comes alive for daytime visitors.

From Friday 4 July to Sunday 20 July 2025, you can receive FREE entry to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo when you book a SEA LIFE Sydney ticket. Book now https://www.visitsealife.com/sydney/