Wombats

Wombats are marsupials from Australia. They resemble small bears in appearance, with a thick and heavy body. They can be buff, grey, dark brown or black. They are shy, timid and hide from site in the wild. They do well in captivity and often become interesting and affectionate pets. If annoyed, they may emit a hissing growl. They may live up to 26 years or more.

Wombats live in burrows and are rapid, powerful diggers. They may construct a burrow longer that 30m. At the end of the burrow they make a grass or bark nest. They may come out to bathe in the sun. They eat mainly grasses, roots, bark and fungi.

There are three different types of species: the coarse-haired, the hairy-nosed and the soft-furred wombat. They are for the most part solitary but they may have smallish social groups consisting of 5-10 wombats in the nearby area. The numbers of wombats in the wild are very low and some species are endangered. This is due to the land use practices of people who have destroyed the wombat's habitat by cattle farming or trying to exterminating rabbits.

wombat

wombat

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