Wombats are intriguing nocturnal marsupials native to Australia. Recently, these creatures have entered global discussions due to an incident involving an American influencer who took a joey, or a baby wombat, away from its mother, spurring debates on wildlife treatment. While wild animals may appear adorable, it is important to refrain from touching them for both their safety and yours.
Unlike their fellow Australian marsupials, kangaroos and koalas, wombats spend a considerable amount of time underground. They inhabit complex burrow systems, which may include as many as ten entrances and span up to 325 feet (100 meters) in length. These burrows are quite an engineering feat for creatures roughly the size of a medium-sized dog, equipped with wide feet and sharp claws for digging. Wombats can grow to about 3 feet in length and weigh up to 88 pounds (40 kilograms), boasting flat faces, small ears, and large noses.
Wombat colonies, or warrens, usually consist of multiple females. It’s common for a mother wombat to vacate her family burrow once her offspring are raised, seeking new accommodations while leaving the burrow to her young, who may still be too inexperienced to construct their own. This behavior is noted by the Wombat Foundation, a nonprofit in Australia.
Above ground, wombats focus mainly on grazing since they are herbivores with a diet largely consisting of grass. Their claws are solely utilized for burrowing rather than foraging. Additionally, a study revealed that wombats produce cube-shaped feces due to the unique shape of their intestinal muscles. This fascinating discovery arose from research conducted by scientists from Cornell University and other institutions in 2021.
There are three species of wombats, with the northern hairy-nosed wombat currently critically endangered. During Australia’s wildfire seasons, various animals, such as bush rats, monitor lizards, and painted button-quails, have been observed using wombat burrows as temporary shelters. These burrows provide refuge from fires, offering a safe haven without any coercion on the part of wombats, as evidenced by footage from trail cameras.
