Zoo Guide

Wombat

on January 27, 2011

The wombat is designed with powerful legs and extremely strong claws, which it uses for efficient digging and feeding.

Design

Wombat

The female wombat has a pouch that opens toward the rear. This design is important since the wombat digs its tunnels underground. If the pouch opened toward the front, it would possibly fill with dirt as it dug its tunnel. The wombat is designed with powerful legs and extremely strong claws, which it uses for efficient digging and feeding.

Features

  • This marsupial is a stocky animals with powerful front paws and short, dark fur. The fur’s shade and texture depends on the species.
  • The wombat resembles a small bear in general appearance.

Fun Facts

  • A wombat can run about 25 mph (40 km/h).
  • Wombats build different sizes of tunnels for different uses. Smaller tunnels are dug for quick escape while longer, larger tunnels are used for sleeping and mating.
  • The wombat is a shy and timid creature; and, therefore, it is difficult to observe in the wild.

Created Kind Members

Common wombat, hairy-nosed wombat

CLASS: Mammalia (mammal)
ORDER: Diprotodontia (kangaroos, possums, and relatives)
FAMILY: Vombatidae (wombats)
GENUS/SPECIES: Vombatus ursinus, Lasiorhinus latrifrons, and L. krefftii (coarse-haired, northern hairy-nosed, and southern hairy-nosed)

Size: Average: 3.3 ft (1 m)
Weight: 33–88 lbs (15–40 kg)
Original Diet: Plants
Present Diet: Grasses
Habitat: Savannas and forests of Australia, Tasmania, and Flinders Island

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Zoo Guide

Zoo Guide

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