WOMBAT
Known for their sturdy, burrow-digging builds, sharp claws and cute, stubby appearences! These charming creatures are an important part of Australia's ecosystem and have captured the hearts of many!
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There are 3 species of wombat:
Common Wombat
Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
Wombats are marsupial which is a type of mammal that has a pouch, in which their young develop after being born.
Wombats are expert burrowers. They use their strong claws to dig extensive underground burrow systems and tunnels of which often have multiple entrances and are very complex. Females have backwards facing pouches to prevent dirt from getting in whilst they are digging!
Wombats are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night time and are resting in their burrows during the heat of the day. Their diets comprise of grasses, roots, leaves and bark. They have rodent-like front teeth that continuously grow throughout their lives.
Common Wombat
This is the largest wombat species and is found in forested, mountainous and heathland areas of south-easter Australia and Tasmania. Common wombats have a stocky build and can weigh up to 35 kilograms | 77 pounds!
Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
These wombats are smaller than the common wombat and are found in semi-arid regions of South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales. They have a distinctive coat of soft & silky fur.
Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
This is the rarest species of wombat and is one of the most endangered species of marcupial in the world! They are found in small, isolated areas of Epping Forest National Park in Queensland. They have a similar appearence to the Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat but with longer fur around the nose/mouth region.
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