Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus)

Description:

The Common Wombat is a large marsupial.

It is herbivorous & lives in large burrows it digs with its powerful claws. Unusually, Wombats have a backward facing pouch, perhaps to keep dirt out while digging their burrows.

Wombats are capable of huge bursts of speed over a short distance.

Distribution:

The Common Wombat is found in southeastern Australia. It feeds on native grasses in forested & often mountainous areas. Despite the number of burrows that might be seen wombat populations are not very dense.

Comments:

Usually nocturnal but can be active during the day in winter.

Taxonomy: