Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat

Facts

scientific name

Lasiorhinus latifrons

conservation status

Near Threatened, with a decreasing population trend

lifespan

Average 5 to 10 years in the wild

weight

25 - 35 Kilograms

diet

The Wombat is herbivorous, feeding on native grasses.

habitat

Wombats dig large burrow complexes, which usually house several wombats.

The Wombat is the largest living, burrowing Marsupial. Once inside the pouch, the joey attaches itself to a teat where it will remain, suckling milk for the next several months. Wombats are muscular and powerful animals. They commonly weigh between 25 and 35 kilos. They have the ability to run short sprints at speeds of up to 40km per hour, in order to get away from danger. The Dingo is the main predator of the Wombat. The Wombat is a member of the Marsupial family and had a backwards facing pouch (opposite to the Kangaroo).