What is a Wombat?
Everyone has heard the term Wombat mentioned before, but not everybody knows what a Wombat is. So what is a Wombat? Wombats are marsupials that are native to Australia. The term Wombat comes from an Indigenous Australian language, an Aboriginal Australian language, one of more than 250 indigenous languages that were spoken in Australia before the arrival of Europeans.

Physical Description of a Wombat
Wombats are small to medium sized marsupials that measure an average of 55 to 80 cm in length and weigh between 14 to 35 kg. They have a sturdy, muscular body and pudgy face that is rounded into a snout like shape. Their fur is coarse and can be any shade of brown, grey or black. Their feet are very strong and are designed for digging, which is a major part of their day.

Behavioral Habits of a Wombat
There are three species of Wombats in Australia – Common, Southern Hairy-nosed, and Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats. All three species are social and live in burrows that they’ve dug out by themselves. They live alone in these burrows as well and can be found mostly in forested mountain ranges, grasslands, and showers. They prefer a soil consisting of clay, loam, or sandy substrates. Wombats are quite fierce when defending their burrows or territories and will chase away dogs, kangaroos, and other animals.

Wombats are mostly solitary creatures, although they will come together on occasions to breed or share the same burrow. They are nocturnal by nature, meaning they’re most active during the nighttime. During the day, they tend to hide away in their burrows where they feed on a diet of grass, roots, and bark. After a full night’s worth of eating, they will spend the rest of the day dozing off inside their burrows.

Conclusion
Wombats are distinctive-looking marsupials that are native to Australia. Though they are solitary creatures, they are quite social when it comes to defending their burrows and territories. Wombats have strong legs that help them to dig burrows and a pudgy face that helps them indulge in their diet of grass, roots, and bark. All three species of Wombats are interesting, unique creatures that are native to Australia and are here to stay!