Bare-nosed Wombat
Vombatus ursinus
Meet the Bare-nosed Wombat
Habitat & Range
Bare-nosed wombats are found in Tasmania and parts of south-eastern mainland Australia. They occupy a variety of habitats including grasslands, heathlands, coastal scrub, open forests and woodland.
Wombats need suitable soil for digging their extensive burrows as well as nearby areas where they can graze. Their burrows provide shelter from weather extremes and a safe place to rest during the day.
What's on the Menu?
Wombats are herbivores. Their diet consists mainly of native grasses, sedges, herbs and other low-growing vegetation. They may also eat roots and bark when suitable food is available.
Their digestive system is extremely efficient and allows them to extract nutrients from tough, fibrous plant material while conserving water.
Amazing Adaptations
Wombats are built for digging. Their compact bodies, powerful shoulders, strong legs and long claws allow them to excavate impressive underground burrow systems.
Unlike many other marsupials, a female wombat's pouch opens backwards. This helps prevent soil from filling the pouch while she is digging and protects the developing joey inside.
Wombats also have continuously growing front teeth, which help compensate for the wear caused by eating tough vegetation.
Did You Know?
Wombats are famous for producing cube-shaped droppings. Their unusually shaped scats can remain in place on rocks, logs and other prominent locations and are used as part of scent marking and communication.
Behaviour
Bare-nosed wombats are generally solitary and spend much of the day resting inside their burrows. They usually emerge during the evening and night to graze.
In cooler conditions, wombats may also be active during daylight hours. Although they may appear slow and stocky, wombats are surprisingly powerful animals and can move quickly when necessary.
Conservation & Threats
Bare-nosed wombats remain widespread in Tasmania, but individual wombats and local populations can still be affected by a range of threats.
Road collisions are a significant cause of injury and death. Habitat disturbance, dog attacks and disease can also affect wombats. Sarcoptic mange, caused by parasitic mites, can cause severe illness if affected animals are not appropriately managed.
Wombat Care at Trowunna
Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary has a long history of caring for native wildlife, including orphaned and injured wombats.
Where appropriate, wildlife rehabilitation aims to prepare animals for a return to the wild. Animals that cannot be released may also play an important role in conservation education and help visitors develop a greater understanding of Tasmania's native wildlife.
Meeting a wombat can be a memorable experience, but the welfare of the animal always comes first. Interactions at Trowunna are managed by our wildlife keepers and depend on the individual animal's needs.
How You Can Help
- Slow down when driving, particularly between dusk and dawn.
- Never feed wild wombats.
- Keep dogs under control around native wildlife.
- Give wild wombats plenty of space and never enter or disturb a wombat burrow.
- If you see a wombat that appears injured, sick or severely affected by mange, contact an appropriate wildlife rescue organisation for advice.
Wildlife Welfare Comes First
Please do not touch, feed or approach Trowunna's wombats unless a wildlife keeper specifically invites you to do so.
Wombats need opportunities to rest and move away from visitors. Always follow keeper instructions and allow the animal to choose whether it participates in an interaction.