Page 166 - Present Day Wildlife_Float

The Wombat consists of three extant species of short-legged, muscular quadrupedal marsupials,
contained within two genera, Vombatus and Lasiorhinus, in the family Vombatidae*. Wombats are na-
tive to Australia. The larger of the species, the Common and Northern wombat, are around 1 to 1.5 me-
tres in length with a body weight of around 20 to 35kg. The smallest is the Southern Hairy-nosed Wom-
bat which is between 77.2 cm to 93.4 cm in length and weighs around 19 to 32 kg

Wombats are heavily built marsupials with a
backward facing pouch, preventing dirt, thrown back
while burrowing, from getting in. They have large
heads, small round eyes, with the common wombat
having short ears and the hairy-nosed species, long
and pointed ears. The common wombat’s short snout
has a bald granular nose – hence its popular name
‘Bare-nose’ – while the hairy-nose wombats have a
much broader nose covered with hair. The jaws of all
wombats lack canine teeth but have upper and lower
incisors and are lined with rootless and ever-growing
chewing teeth. They have a short stumpy tail with
short but robust legs. Their large forepaws have five
*Family Vombatidae long clawed digits, ideal for burrowing, while their
smaller rear paws have similar digits, but the second
genus Vombatus and third are joined, which the wombat uses for grooming. The
Common wombat common wombat’s long thick fur is coarse and bristle-like, with
Three subspecies: little or no underfur, while the hairy-nose wombats have a short
Vombatus ursinus hirsutus, silky fur coat with a thick undercoat. The colour of the wombats
(found: Australian mainland). coat can vary from a silver-grey, black, or brown but can some-
Vombatus ursinus tasmaniensis, times be streaked or flecked.

(found: Tasmania). Wombats are found in southern and eastern Australia, on
Vombatus ursinus ursinus, the islands of Tasmania, Flinders and Maria Islands and in a
(found: Flinders Island, small area in the Epping Forest National Park in central
Maria Island and Bass Strait). Queensland. They inhabit forests, semi-arid grasslands, shrub
land or heathland areas, and due to their insatiable burrowing
genus Lasiorhinus they prefer to live in areas where the soil is soft or sandy. They
Northern hairy-nosed wombat, are the world's largest burrowing animals, living in under-
ground dens running 30 to 100 metres long. The common
(critically endangered). wombats are solitary and unsociable, and live in small personal
Southern hairy-nosed wombat, dens, while the hairy-nosed wombats are sociable and live in
(The smallest). huge shared dens. Wombats are also extremely territorial and
mark their borders with scent, urine and its unique and puz-
zling square feces. How and why it passes cubed feces is a mystery, but it’s believed the passing of them
is connected to its slow digestive system, which can take 5 to 14 days to digest its last meal. However,
no one’s sure and it’s still under investigation. They may look slow and ponderous, but if spooked
Wombats can run, over a short distance, at around 40km/h, and are known to be capable of jumping
over obstacles a metre high.

Wombats are herbivores their diets consisting of the dry coarse grasses
native to their location, sedges, herbs, bark, and roots. They are also nocturnal,
venturing out during the twilight hours or at night. In some areas they are
rarely seen during the day. However, with a mind-set that seems to be – ‘If you
can’t pass it on the surface, then burrow under it!’ – They leave ample evi-
dence of their presence, with large holes appearing, under, large obstacles and
fences, overnight. Wombats have few predators but animals such as, foxes,
dingoes, wild-dogs and Tasmanian Devils are known to prey on the Wombat.
Caught in the open they have little defence against large predators but they do
have a toughened rear end. Their backside is covered with thick cartilage.
When danger threatens they bolt down their tunnel, blocking the entrance with their rear end, making
it impossible for the attacker to harm them. Wombats do squeal when danger threatens and they do
make grunting noises, low growl sounds, hoarse coughs, and a clicking noise when with others, but they
are normally very quiet animals, moving around in total silence.