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common wombat

marsupial
Also known as: Phascolomis ursinus, Vombatus hirsutus, Vombatus ursinus, naked-nosed wombat(Show More)

Quick Summary

The wombat is a large, terrestrial marsupial native to Australia, belonging to the family Vombatidae. These heavily built, burrowing animals are known for their stocky build, short ears, and virtually tailless appearance, resembling small bears.123

Wombats are primarily nocturnal and herbivorous, feeding on grasses and the inner bark of roots. The common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) is one of three species, characterized by coarse dark hair and a distinctive bald, granular nose pad. They are known to dig extensively, which can lead to them being considered pests by farmers due to their impact on cultivated fields and pastures.1

Reproductively, wombats, like other marsupials, have a unique development process where their young are born in a very undeveloped state and continue to grow in a pouch that opens rearward.14

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