1. Myrmecobius fasciatus
The Numbat
Myrmecobius fasciatus

2. Taxonomy Kingdom – animalia Phylum – chordata
Class – mammalia (marsupial)
Order – dasyuromorphia
Family – myrmecobiidae
Related to = quolls, dunnarts, tasmanian devil

3. Distribution/habitat
Western Australia
Two natural populations
Dryandra
Perup Nature reserve
Arid to semi-arid woodlands
Fallen trees and shrubs

4. Just the facts… Carnivorous marsupial Lifespan around 5 years
insectivore
Lifespan around 5 years
14 day gestation
Undeveloped young
Attached to mother ~ 9 months
No true pouch
Small – 27cm
Thin, sticky tongue
Blunt ‘pegs’ rather than teeth
Camouflaged by striping

5. More facts….mate Feeds on termites, up to 20000 a day
Dig in ground and use tongue
Do not drink water
Comes from termites
Diurnal
Vulnerable to predators
Sit up like meerkats
freeze when danger
Solitary
Only together to mate
Territorial

6. IUCN Redlist = Endangered (2008)
Habitat destruction
Introduction of non-native predator (foxes)
Less than 1000 mature individuals (20% decrease over past 5 years)

7. Conservation Threatened list under Australian law Habitat protected
Captive breeding programs (Perth Zoo)
Reintroduction programs
Fox population control are essential

8. Outlook Breeding programs successful Reintroduction to select habitats
Declines at Dryanda not understood and detrimental to conservation

9. Resources IUCN Redlist - http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Perth Zoo -
Project Numbat: Numbat.org.au
Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia -