Thanks to Mouse’s amazing wombat-ology project, I now know so much more about our beloved southern hairy-nosed wombats. If, like me, you’re interested in learning more, take a peek at the research Mouse did for her scrapbook. Thanks for sharing, Mouse!
Many people believe that southern hairy-nosed wombats are shy creatures, who sleep all day in their burrows, only appearing, briefly, at night. The truth is they are much more complicated, but because they can so easily escape into their burrows, they are very difficult animals to observe. Most Australian’s have never seen a wild wombat.
Luckily for us, many researchers and dedicated wildlife carers have studied wombats and have discovered interesting facts about them.
Some facts about the southern hairy-nosed wombat
- • They are Australian marsupials and can grow up to 1.3 metres long and weigh up to 36 kilograms. They eat native grasses such as wallaby kangaroo grass, as well as sedges and the roots of shrubs and trees. The southern hairy-nosed wombat is commonly found in South Australia.
- • They live in burrows, but because it takes so much energy to dig a new one, they prefer to use ones that already exist. Scientists estimate that digging a ten-metre tunnel takes the same amount of energy as walking 120 kilometres. The largest wombat tunnel ever measured was 100 metres long and probably many centuries old.
- • They need good rain before they have babies to ensure the survival of their young. Even then, they only have one baby every two to three years. The baby crawls into the mother’s pouch at birth (weighing only one gram) and stays there for up to ten months. Orphaned babies do better when raised with another wombat for company.
- • The southern hairy-nosed wombat is very flexible and can perform a barrel roll with a twist, allowing them to flip 180 degrees in their burrow. They can also lay themselves so flat that they can slip through cracks less than ten centimetres high.
- • They can run 100 metres in less than ten seconds and can reach speeds of 40 kilometres per hour over a short distance.
- • They are great swimmers.
- • They have pouches that face backwards.
- • They can live up to 30 years.
Wombats are threatened by:
- • Habitat loss from farming, development and land clearing.
- • Disease: one of the main diseases wombats suffer from is sarcoptic mange, a parasitic mite that digs into the wombat’s skin. It is spread by foxes and other wombats.
- • Motor vehicles on our roads.
- • Farmers and landholders who often view wombat burrows as a threat to farm animals and machinery. They consider wombat destruction of fences to be very costly. Farmers have been allowed to ‘destroy’ wombats over the years, with cyanide, shooting and less-humane methods. In some states the wombat is now protected, but permits to destroy them are still obtainable in Tasmania and South Australia.
Living with wombats is easy if:
- • Burrows are left alone. Destruction of long-standing burrows may lead to wombats digging more.
- • Fences are fitted with inexpensive and easy-to-install wombat gates in areas where wombats regularly walk.
- • Overgrazed areas are planted with native grasses to prevent further erosion.
- • Livestock is prevented from wandering around and falling into burrows. Electric fences and tape helps to keep livestock out.
- • Farmers can remember that wombats only eat a small amount of feed per day – mostly native grasses that sheep and cattle don’t eat.
To help support the southern hairy-nosed wombat you could:
- • spread the word that ‘living with wombats’ is easy
- • ask adults to drive carefully in areas where wombats live
- • report sightings of sick or injured wombats to your local wildlife care organisation
- • adopt a wombat or donate to one of the many worthwhile organisations that help wombats (such as the Wombat Awareness Organisation or Safe Haven – AACE).
For more information about wombats, check out:
The Wombat Awareness Organisation is a non-profit organisation specialising in the rescue, rehabilitation and advocacy of the southern hairy-nosed wombat. Their website has lots of information and adorable pictures of the wombats they care for, plus ways that you can donate money to help their cause or adopt a wombat.
On the South Australia Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources website, you’ll find a variety of interesting fact sheets to download, including one about ‘Living with Wombats’. Just type ‘wombats’ into the search section.
The Wombat Protection Society of Australia is another non-profit organisation which raises money to protect and care for wombats. Their website has some great activities for kids, plus a list of books featuring wombats.
www.conservationvolunteers.com.au
This is the website for Brookfield Conservation Park in South Australia, managed by Conservation Volunteers Australia. It’s one of the few places where the habitat of the southern hairy-nosed wombat is protected. You can visit Brookfield to assist researchers and staff with a range of activities including wombat warren and vegetation surveys.
Wombania is a super cool, fun website with wombat facts, games, comic strips, recipes and more! Check it out to find everything you’ve ever needed to know about wombats.