Ingal, Juvel Mar Biology/ Period 4 Wombats Ingal, Juvel Mar Biology/ Period 4

What Are Wombats and Where Do They Live? They are: Australian Marsupials They are called marsupials because they carry their baby/babies in a pouch until they are old enough to experience the world on their own. They are Herbivores. Can be found in the forests or mountains in South-East of Australia and Tasmania. They live in burrows. They dig up borrows and continue to extend them, making a Burrow System.

Physical Features: commonly thirty-nine inches short-legged creatures short tail very long claws sharp teeth that continue to grow fur colors are usually sandy to brown or grey to black look “muscular” or big may look like a little bear

Life Cycle Despite the fact that they are born blind and deaf, their sense of smell is works very well. As a babies, they cannot keep themselves warm. Until they have grown enough, they are kept in their mother’s pouch. They usually stay in the pouch for a total of eight months, but the time is between four to ten months. Once they are out of the pouch, they are ready to eat solid food. After being out, they spend about fifteen months with their mother, learning and being taught how to live. Wombats stay with their mother for two years at most. The baby either leaves his/her mother earlier than two years, or it has to be forced to be leave by the mother. Wombats can live up to five years. -Others can live up to thirty years!

Its Predators and Preys Wombats are herbivores, therefore they do not eat any type of meat. they eat grass, herbs, roots, bark, and other plants. They must look out for Tasmanian Devils, Dingos, Foxes, and other big animals. Tasmanian devils are another type of marsupial. they are wild animals carnivores and scanvengers A dingo is a wild dog.

Relatives: Since there are other marsupials, Wombats do have relatives: -koalas kangaroos

Wombat Behaviors Wombats are nocturnal and crepuscular creatures. They come out of their burrows at night and look for something to eat, such as plants. Though they normally move slow, they are still very alert. When being chased, they can run very fast and keep it up for a minute and a half. In a hour, they have already covered forty kilometers. They can also become very aggressive and dangerous, especially to unwelcomed animals. Their sharp teeth, long claws, and strong body composition are its defense. They also use their rear end to back away others.

Interesting Facts A wombat can weigh up to seventy-seven pounds! Also, it is strong enough to knock a human to the ground. They make a great swimmer. Though they are related to Koalas, they are not skilled in climbing. Wombats may appear to have a funny walk. The digestive system of a wombat is VERY slow. To complete a whole digestion will take FOURTEEN days! The teeth that these mammals have are very strong and sharp. They are very good when it comes to digging. Their digging can only be stopped by solid rocks or soft sand. Wombats are not seen often, but they do leave trails as proof that they exist. Be careful because they can be moody. They evolved millions of years ago.

Wombats and Humans Although Wombats can become dangerous and destructive, they can still be pets. As a matter of fact, there are people who have Wombats as pets. Wombats can become very sweet, affectionate and friendly. You can pet and hold one. Having them as pets isn’t always a good idea, though.

Its Habitat