Common or Bare-nosed Wombat
Scientific Name: Vombatus ursinus
Size: 725-1,175mm TL, including tail 25 mm
What does it look like?
The Bare-nosed or Common Wombat is stocky, with a large, flattened head, short limbs and powerful claws for digging. Greyish-brown to blackish above, paler below, and with a bare nose, and short, slightly rounded ears.
Where is it found?
South-eastern mainland. From south-eastern Qld, through ranges of eastern NSW to central Vic and Tas (including Flinders and Maria (introduced) Islands). Also in far south-eastern SA.
What are its habitats & habits?
The Bare-nosed Wombat inhabits forests, woodlands and grasslands, where it sleeps during the day in underground burrows and feeds on the ground, mostly at night, on native grasses, sedges and roots of shrubs. Female has 2 teats, but usually gives birth to a single young, which may be born at any time of the year.
Interesting facts
Female has a rear-facing pouch to avoid it (and any young enclosed) from filling with dirt while digging.
Three subspecies currently recognised, V. u. ursinus on Flinders island, V. u. hirsutus on mainland and V. u. tasmaniensis on Tas.
Also known as: Common Wombat; Bass Strait Wombat
This species features in my book A Naturalist’s Guide to the Mammals of Australia
