EDGE :: Mammal Species Information What a Wonderful World 22nd Apr 15 Blind salamanders, paternal toads, scaly anteaters, fiery-coloured cats. There can be no doubt that we live in a world of wonders, of beauty and variet... Read Evolutionary Distinctiveness Order: Diprotodontia Family: Vombatidae Wombats belong to their own family, Vombatidae, which contains two genera and three species: Vombatus ursinus (common wombat), Lasiorhinus latifrons (southern hairy-nosed wombat), and Lasiorhinus krefftii (northern hairy-nosed wombat). The nearest living relative to the wombat is the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), but they are not closely related. Together, these four species form the suborder Vombatiformes, one of the three great lineages of marsupial herbivores. This group diverged from other marsupial herbivores at least 40 million years ago.

Description Weight: Male: 31.0 kg Female: 31.9 kg The northern hairy-nosed wombat is the largest of the three wombat species. It is a strong, heavily built marsupial, with short powerful legs and strong claws that are used to dig burrows. The fur is soft and silky, and brown or silver-grey in colour, with darker rings around the eyes. The wombat’s ears are long and slightly pointed, and its broad muzzle is covered in fine whiskers (hence the common name). Female wombats have pouches which are backwards-opening so they do not fill up with earth when the animals are digging. Ecology Wombats are adapted to hot, dry climates by minimizing the amount of time spent above ground. The species is predominantly nocturnal, spending the day in a burrow and coming out at night to feed on various species of grass. It has a very low water requirement, and obtains most of the water it needs from its food. Wombats build large complex tunnel systems consisting of a number of multi-entrance burrows which are used by groups of 4-5 individuals.

The burrows are collectively known as a warren and the entrances are connected above ground by a network of trails. Despite this, the animals are generally solitary. Individuals rarely share their burrows and each wombat possesses its own feeding area. Females give birth to a single young, usually during the wet season (November to March). The young wombat stays in its mother’s pouch for 8-9 months, follows her closely for another 3-6 months, and is probably fully independent by about 18 months of age. The inter-birth period is usually 1-2 years, but females give birth less often during periods of drought. The species is long-lived for its size, with wild adults reaching ages of 23 years or more. Habitat Preferred habitats are flat semi-arid grasslands and open acacia or eucalypt woodlands. Deep sandy soil is required for digging burrows. Distribution Endemic to Australia, the species was originally found in two locations in Queensland and one in New South Wales. There is currently just one population remaining, situated in 500 ha of Epping Forest National Park in central Queensland.

View this species distribution with the Google Earth plug-in Population Estimate At last count, in 2007, there were only 138 individuals living in a single isolated population in Central Queensland, Australia. Population Trend Population size fell to around 35 individuals in the early 1980s. Since then numbers have been slowly recovering as a result of conservation efforts. The population has been dominated by males, but the latest census in 2005 showed that female numbers were recovering with 62 males and 53 females recorded. Only about 35 females are of breeding age. Status The rarest Australian marsupial, the species is classified as Critically Endangered B1ab(iii) on the 2010 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Threats A combination of habitat loss, drought and competition with introduced grazing animals accelerated the species’ decline following European settlement. The species has also suffered considerable losses as a result of predation by dingoes, another introduced mammal. While most of these problems have now been addressed, the survival of the species is still uncertain. The greatest current threat is the fact that the wombats live in only one small population.

This means that they are very vulnerable to natural events such as fire, drought, predators, disease or flooding, and inbreeding and consequent loss of genetic variation. Conservation Underway The species is listed on Appendix I of CITES. Epping Forest National Park was established in 1971 to protect the population, and numbers began to rise once cattle were excluded from the area in 1982. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has been running a major recovery plan since 1993, which involves conservation-orientated research and management programmes for the species. The wombats are currently protected from predators and competition with other grazing animals by a dingo-proof fence, and park wardens are working hard to improve habitat quality, provide supplementary feed and water, and protect the animals from natural disasters. Numbers are increasing as a result, but only very slowly. One of the aims of the recovery plan is the establishment of a second wild population within the species’ historical range. Research into captive breeding, translocation techniques and a search for potential habitats in which to establish this new population are currently underway.

In recent months selected individuals from the Central Queensland colony have been moved to a new location, the Richard Underwood Nature Reserve at Yarran Downs, St. George Queensland. These translocations will help save the wombat from further decline. Conservation Proposed The long-term aim of the recovery plan is to establish a network of populations throughout the historic range of the species. Over the next 15 years, it is envisaged that four separate colonies will be established in suitable habitat in Queensland. The reintroduction of wombats to a new site is a specific objective of the 2004-2008 recovery plan. A successful trial translocation was conducted in 2006 within the dingo-proof fence at Epping Forest National Park. This trial has helped the development of techniques needed to establish a second wombat population. After years of research, a suitable site, with the right soils, vegetation and landscape to support the wombat population, has been found near St George in southern Queensland. Using knowledge gained from the management of the Epping Forest National Park population and the trial move, the new release site will be suitably prepared before the wombats arrive at the new colony.

Actions include installation of a predator-proof fence, supplementary feed and water stations and wombat monitoring equipment, management of competitors, fire management and weed control, and the preparation of wombat starter burrows. The reintroduction is planned to occur in the winter of 2009. Other research has focused on increasing the population of wombats. Following an unsuccessful attempt to establish a captive breeding programme in 1996, researchers are now focusing on developing a captive breeding programme for the less endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat. It is hoped that the techniques developed here can be applied to the captive breeding of the northern species. Another project aims to develop techniques by which captive southern hairy-nosed wombats can be used as foster mothers for northern hairy-nosed wombat young. After rearing, the young could be released back into the wild population(s). Links Queensland Environmental Protection Agency The EPA aims to promote sustainable use of its natural capital and ensure a clean environment. Key functions of the organisation are environmental planning, environmental policy, management of parks, forestry and wildlife, environmental operations, sustainable industries, environmental and technical services, corporate affairs, and corporate development. References Horsup, A. 2004.

Recovery plan for the northern hairy-nosed wombat Lasiorhinus krefftii . 2004-2008. Report to the Department of Environment and Heritage, Canberra. Environmental Protection Agency/Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane. Kennedy, M. 1992. Australasian Marsupials and Monotremes: An Action Plan for their Conservation. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. MacDonald, D. (ed.). 2002. The New Encyclopedia of Mammals. Oxford University Press. Oxford. Maxwell, S., Burbidge, A. A., Morris, K. and the IUCN/SSC Australasian Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist Group (eds.). 1996. The 1996 Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes . Wildlife Australia, Endangered Species Programme. Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walkers Mammals of the World. Sixth edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London. Taggart, D., Martin, R. & Horsup, A. 2008. Lasiorhinus krefftii.

In: 2010 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Version 2010.4. Downloaded on 12 November 2010. Distribution map based on data provided by the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment. if you can provide new information to update this species account or to correct any errors, please email us at info@edgeofexistence.org Forum comments List of Marsupial Animals | Animals - mom.me List of Marsupial Animals At six feet tall, Australia's red kangaroo is the planet's largest marsupial. Tom Brakefield/Stockbyte/Getty Images Marsupials are mammals that give birth to underdeveloped embryos, which then climb from the birth canal into a pouch on the front of the mother's body. Once inside, the infant, sometimes called a joey, feeds and continues to grow by attaching itself to a nipple. While most marsupials are native to Australia and the surrounding islands, some are found in the Americas. Kangaroos and Wallabies Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea are home to more than 50 species of kangaroos and wallabies, known as macropods, due to the large feet of these marsupials.

The largest, the red kangaroo of Australia's inland plains, can be up to six feet tall; gray kangaroos are smaller and found in woodlands. Wallabies, medium-sized marsupials, live in a variety of habitats, including shrubs, swamps and rocky cliffs. Ground-dwelling kangaroos and wallabies get around by hopping. There are also 14 species of arboreal kangaroos, two of which, the Bennett and Lumholtz varieties, occur in Australia. Kangaroos and wallabies are herbivores that eat a variety of grasses and other vegetation. Koalas The gray-furred, tree-dwellers commonly referred to as koala bears are also marsupials. A koala's pouch faces backward, an adaptation that enabled its burrower ancestors to dig tunnels without getting dirt in their pouches. Found in eastern and southeastern Australia, koalas live in eucalyptus trees, the leaves of which comprise their entire diet. Koalas grow to be two to three feet long and weigh between nine and 29 pounds.

Wombats The wombat, which the National Geographic website describes as "pudgy," is a burrower marsupial with brown or gray fur. Like a koala, a wombat's pouch faces the legs to keep dirt out as the animal digs. Wombats are herbivores that feed on grasses, roots, tubers and even tree bark. There are three species: the common wombat, northern hairy-nosed wombat and southern hairy-nosed wombat. Hairy-nosed wombats have larger ears and softer fur than common wombats. Tasmanian Devils Named by European settlers for the fierce temper they display when threatened or fighting for food, today the nocturnal Tasmanian devil occurs only on the island of Tasmania. It has black or dark brown fur, grows up to 30 inches in length and can weigh up to 26 pounds. Females give birth to 20 to 30 young at a time, but only have enough nipples inside their pouches to nourish four. Tasmanian devils, the largest carnivorous marsupial, consume fish, insects, snakes, birds and carrion.

Possums Possums, which are tree-dwellers, are the most widespread marsupial. Like Tasmanian devils, possums give birth to as many as 20 offspring, but only a few survive. There are 13 species of possums in Australia. North America is home to one species, the Virginia opossum, known to "play dead" when threatened by a predator. The yapok, or water opossum, one of multiple possum species in South America, is carnivorous and an able swimmer. Gliders Australia has six species of gliders -- relatives of the possum that have a membrane between the front and rear limbs that allow them to momentarily float through the air. Among them is the tiny feathertail glider, which gets its name from its feather-like, prehensile tail, and the better known sugar glider. Gliders are active at night and live in trees in Australia's woodlands and forests. They subsist on nectar, pollen, sap, leaves and insects. Koala Express: Amazing and interesting Wombat Facts There are three species of Wombats (An Australian Marsupial animal) 2.

Northern Hairy Nosed 3. Southern Hairy Nosed WOMBAT, common name for three species of burrowing MARSUPIAL. Wombats have long claws that are adapted for digging, and they live in burrows, from which they emerge at night to feed on grasses and other plants. The teeth of wombats are of continuous growth, and, a single pair of chisel like incisors is found in each jaw. Young Wombats are born singly and each is carried in its mother's pouch. Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) The common wombat, of southern Australia is the largest, attaining a maximum length of about 91 cm (about 36 in). It is tailless and stocky, and its thick coarse fur varies in color from yellow to black. The two species of hairy-nosed wombats differ from the common wombat species in having longer, pointed ears, a hairy muzzle, and soft, silky fur. Where to find them? The common wombat lives mainly in wet, partly forested areas on the coast, and on the ranges and western slopes. The southern hairy-nosed wombat prefers dry, open country.

Both species live in burrows, preferring well-drained soils that are easy to dig in. The burrows, which are often built on the sides of gullies, can be up to 30 m long, and several metres deep. Wombats generally stay in the burrows during the day, kept warm in winter and cool in summer. They will often share their home with other wombats. What do they like to eat? Wombats spend between three and eight hours each night grazing on their favourite food, which is native grasses such as the tussocky 'snow grass', wallaby grass and kangaroo grass. They will also eat sedges and the roots of shrubs and trees. They cut their food with sharp, chisel-like front teeth which grow continuously. A wombat may wander up to 3 km each night looking for food. Marking their territory Although wombats will share burrows, they are possessive about their particular feeding grounds. They mark out these areas by leaving scent trails and droppings around the boundaries. If an intruding wombat moves in on their territory, it will be discouraged through a series of snorts, screeches and even a chase.

As a result, the wombat population of an area is dependent on the number of available feeding grounds. A young wombat can sometimes take the place of an adult that has died, but often it will be forced to move to another area to find its own feeding ground. Breeding A wombat can reproduce after it reaches two years of age. Mating occurs between September and December, and usually results in one offspring. The newborn wombat, which weighs only 1 g and is less than 3 cm long, has to crawl from the birth canal into the mother's pouch. This pouch faces backwards, which stops dirt and twigs getting caught in it when the mother digs. The young wombat will stay in the pouch for between seven and 10 months. Their threats Because of settlement and agriculture, wombats in most areas have been pushed into the rugged hills and mountains. As long as they remain in these areas, wild dogs and collisions with cars are more of a threat to these marsupials than landowners. However, because of their habit of wandering down to the flats to enjoy the tasty morsels growing there (knocking down fences on the way), they are sometimes killed by farmers.

Wombats have also had to compete with introduced animals - such as cattle, sheep, and particularly rabbits - for food. This competition appears to have been a major factor in the decline of the northern hairy-nosed wombat in NSW. Beware! In August 2016 An Australian woman who was reportedly attacked by a wombat while walking her dogs says she thought she was going to die at the paws of the aggressive marsupial. Kerry Evans, from Canberra was walking her springer spaniels Murphy and Pirate down a suburban street when she encountered the wombat, which was grazing in a front garden. Evans said the wombat charged her dogs who panicked and knocked her to the ground, within reach of the wombat’s claws. “I was laying screaming for help, I couldn’t get away from it, every time I managed to get up it attacked me and bit me and knocked me to the ground,” she told the Canberra Times.

“I really thought I was going to lay there and die that night because I just couldn’t see how I was going to get away from it, it just wasn’t stopping its attack.” She was rescued by a neighbour and a nearby driver, who took control of her dogs and allowed her to scramble away. Evans received more than 20 bites and lacerations from the wombat’s attack, three of which required stitches. Source: The Canberra Times Have you heard of Wally the wombat? The cute but naughty Australian wombat you can own! Wombats - photos and information on the Australian wombat Accommodation | International Flights | Domestic Flights | Tours | Travel Insurance | Car Hire | Visas | Shopping | Dating | Humour Wombat The wombat is an Australian marsupial animal, short-legged and muscular, up to about one metre in length with a very short tail, resembling a bear or furry pig. They dig hollows to live in and are found in forested, mountainous, and heathland areas of southern Australia and Tasmania. There are three species of wombat: the Common Wombat, the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, and the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat.

Their fur colour can vary from a sandy colour to brown, or from grey to black. All three species measure around a metre in length and weigh between 20 and 35 kg and are herbivores, their diet consisting mostly of grasses, plants, bark and roots. The name wombat originates from the Eora Aboriginal community who were the original inhabitants of the Sydney area. Thanks to Camille Espzel for this wombat picture The wombat is also known in an Australian joke as the animal to most closely resemble the Australian man; because he eats, roots(,) and leaves, but this image has since changed when the director of Nocturnal Wildlife Research Ltd, biologist Clive Marks, filmed for the first time ever a wombat courtship and mating in captivity in Australia, at Tonimbuk Farm in south-eastern Victoria. With this first ever wombat porn movie the wombats shook off their image as slow sloth like animals, the mating ritual involved lots of running around chasing in figure eights, a few bites on the rump, wild backward kicks, grunting and lots of heavy breathing.

After a prolonged period of copulation in the same position, the female will break away and run in a pattern of circles and figures of eight with the male close behind her. As soon as he bites her on the rump she stops just long enough to permit him to roll her on her side and begin copulating again. Space appears to be the key to succes here, without enough space in their pens to run the circles wombats will not mate in captivity. Female wombats give birth to a single young in the spring, after a gestation period of around 21 days. They have a well developed pouch, which the young leave after about 6-7 months. Wombats are weaned after 15 months, and become sexually mature at 18 months of age. Their enemies are cars (see below) , Tasmanian devils and dingoes.

Keeping Marsupials : Keeping and Breeding Marsupials in Captivity, Maintaining Injured and Orphaned Wildlife in Captivity, Animal Husbandry, Australian Marsupials, Australian Mammals, Marsupial Conservation The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) The following article is printed with special thanks and appreciation to the Environmental Protection Agency of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. General The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat was known from only three localities: Deniliquin, NSW; St. George, Southern Queensland; and Epping Forest, Central Queensland. At the time of European settlement, the species may already have been uncommon. It is assumed that drought and grazing pressure from cattle and sheep accelerated the species decline and that it was extinct in the Deniliquin and St. George areas by 1908. The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat is now restricted to a single population in Epping Forest National Park near Claremont in Central Queensland. At last count the population contained 110 individuals.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has produced a recovery plan for the Northern hairy-nosed Wombat, which outlines the actions needed to halt its decline and enhance the chances for long term survival in the wild. These actions are being implemented by QPWS as part of a major recovery program to save the Northern hairy-nosed Wombat. The following provides information on the Wombat, the threat to its survival and what is being done to conserve the species. Description Australia has three species of Wombat, the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, Lasiorhinus krefftii the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, Lasiorhinus latifrons, and the Common Wombat Vombatus ursinus. The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat is the largest of the Wombats and the biggest burrowing mammal in the world. This nocturnal marsupial, with its silky grey fur and broad hairy nose, can weigh up to 40kgs. Females are slightly heavier than males.

The two species of hairy-nosed wombats are similar in appearance but differ from the Common wombats by having broader, hairy noses, silkier fur and longer ears.* The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat and the Common Wombat are not found in the same location as the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat. Habitat Epping Forest national Park is semi-arid and dominated by Brigalow, Acacia harpophylla and Gidgee, Acacia cambagei on heavy grey non-cracking soils. Deep alluvial sand deposits are present along an ancient watercourse, on the banks of which Wombats dig burrows. Wombat habitat is dominated by Long-fruited Bloodwood, Corymbia clarksonia, Moreton Bay Ash, C. tessellaris and Bauhinia, Lysiphyllum hookeri, with a grassy ground cover. Behaviour In Summer months, Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats will only leave their burrows in the hours of darkness when the air temperature is cooler. On Winter days they may be seen sunning themselves above ground. During the dry season (May to October), the Wombats are active for about six hours per night.

In the wet season (November to April), when more food is available, activity at night decreases to about two hours. Breeding Breeding is related to Summer rainfall, occurring less frequently during times of drought. Young are born mostly in the wet season. The young remain in the pouch for 6 to 9 months and then stay in the burrow for an unknown period of time, while their mother goes out to feed. Weaning occurs at about twelve months of age. Threatening Processes Overgrazing by cattle and drought appear to be the main factors contributing to the species’ decline. Cattle have been removed from Epping Forest National Park, so grazing pressure from livestock is no longer considered a threat. Current threatening processes are: loss of genetic diversity, small population size, predation by dingoes, being restricted to one location, disease and parasites affecting the health of the animals, wildlife and drought destroying food sources, and competition for food from Eastern Grey Kangaroos Macropus giganteus, especially during droughts. What’s being Done The breeding status, health and population structure of the wombats is being monitored. The habitat is being managed through pasture manipulation, and by the provision of supplementary feed and water.

In addition, fire breaks around the Park are being maintained, dingoes are baited regularly and the population density of kangaroos is monitored at least twice a year. A captive colony of Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats is being established in Rockhampton to develop assisted breeding and husbandry techniques that can be applied to the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat. Pouch young cross fostering (removing a pouch young from a Northern Hairy-nosed wombat and allowing it to be raised by a female Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat) is being investigated to increase reproductive output. Trials are underway with Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats to refine the procedures. Northern hairy-nosed Wombat semen has been collected and cryopreserved to ensure against any further population declines. When the population of Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats increases a second wild population will be established. Where can I see them? Sorry, access to Epping Forest National Park is restricted to the wombat managers and researchers to minimise disturbance to the wombats. In September 2001, the Wombat Research Centre will open in Rockhampton.

You will be able to view Common and Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats and visit the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat display. Further information Northern hairy-nosed wombat, Lasorhinus krefftii (Department of Environment and Heritage Protection) Department of Environment and Heritage Protection Search Department of Environment and Heritage Protection Site navigation What is the conservation status of the northern hairy-nosed wombat? Common name: northern hairy-nosed wombat Scientific name: Lasiorhinus krefftii (Lasio = hairy; rhinus = nose; krefftii = after Gerard Krefft, Director of the Australian Museum from 1864-1874 Family: Vombatidae (wombats) The northern hairy-nosed wombat is listed as: Endangered in Queensland under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 Endangered nationally under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Critically Endangered internationally under the International Union for the Conservation Of Nature (IUCN) Redlist of Threatened Species, which lists species at a global level. It might have already been in decline when Europeans settled, and was probably the least common of the three wombat species at that time.

Since then, competition for food from introduced grazing animals, such as sheep, cattle and rabbits - particularly during droughts – has been the main reason for the species rapid decline since European arrival in Australia. How many species of wombats are there in Australia? Northern hairy-nosed wombat © Australian Geographic Society Southern hairy-nosed wombat © Australian Geographic Society Common wombat © Australian Geographic Society Australia has three species of wombat: the common wombat, northern hairy-nosed wombat and southern hairy-nosed wombat. The common wombat occupies coastal and high country areas in south-eastern Australia, whereas the hairy-nosed wombats are more arid-adapted. The southern hairy-nosed wombat is found in semi-arid country across southern Australia, while the northern hairy-nosed wombat used to occur through inland eastern Australia from northern Victoria to north Queensland. Northern hairy-nosed wombat The largest of the three wombat species is the northern hairy-nosed wombat, which averages about 32kg and reaches more than one metre in length. Compared with the common wombat, northern hairy-nosed wombats have softer fur, longer and more pointed ears and a broader muzzle fringed with fine whiskers.

They are generally nocturnal but will sun themselves on winter mornings and afternoons. At Epping Forest National Park, northern hairy-nosed wombats are known to have lived for at least 26 years. Southern hairy-nosed wombat The southern hairy-nosed wombat is the smallest wombat species, with adults averaging about 26kg. It has a broad hairy nose, long ears and soft grey-brown fur. There is often a white patch on the nose and chest. Southern hairy-nosed wombats are the most arid-adapted wombats. Common wombat Common wombats, also known as bare-nosed wombats, have a bare pointed nose, small ears and coarser brown fur. They average about 30kg in weight (22–39kg). Common wombats are nocturnal during the summer, but in winter often come out of their burrows during the day to feed and sun themselves. How many northern hairy-nosed wombats are in Epping Forest National Park? Population estimates At the last census in 2013 there was an estimated population of 196 wombats at Epping Forest National Park .

With the current population of nine wombats at Richard underwood Nature Refuge and the expected increase since the 2013 census, it is estimated that there are now approximately 230 northern hairy-nosed wombats on the planet. Since the erection of a predator-proof fence, numbers have been rising impressively. What do northern hairy-nosed wombats look like? The forepaw of a northern hairy-nosed wombat. Photo: EHP Wombats are heavily built animals with a broad head and short solid powerful legs. They have strong claws to dig their burrows, where they live much of the time. When wombats walk, their long behinds sway from side to side. This feature, combined with a large head and habits such as curling up to rest on their sides or sitting on their haunches with their forepaws folded in front, make wombats appear slow and clumsy. However, appearances are deceptive. Wombats can move fast—up to 40 km/h over a short distance. Where do northern hairy-nosed wombats live? The distribution of wombat species in Australia Fossil records show that northern hairy-nosed wombats were once widespread, living in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

However, since European settlement, this species has only been found in three locations—the Deniliquin area in southern New South Wales, the Moonie River area in southern Queensland, and the Epping Forest area in central Queensland. The distribution of wombat species in Australia Currently, northern hairy-nosed wombats live at two sites that are both in Queensland. These two sites are Epping Forest National Park and the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge . Epping Forest National Park is located in inland central Queensland. It is 3160 hectares of open eucalypt woodland and brigalow communities and was gazetted in 1971. A second colony of northern hairy-nosed wombats was established in 2009 at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge at Yarran Downs near St George in southern Queensland. The nature refuge was gazetted on the 27 November 2008, and protects about 105 hectares of eucalypt woodland on old river levees. There is an additional area within the predator-proof fence which is an environmental reserve. The first northern hairy-nosed wombats were flown there in July 2009.

Additional wombats were added in 2010 and the first breeding occurred in 2011. What is the habitat of northern hairy-nosed wombats? Northern hairy-nosed wombats require deep sandy soils, in which to dig their burrows, and a year-round supply of grass, which is their primary food. These areas usually occur in open eucalypt woodlands. Wombats dig burrows that they rest in during daylight hours, but not all soils are suitable for burrows. At Epping Forest National Park, northern hairy-nosed wombats construct their burrows in deep, sandy soils on levee banks deposited by a creek that no longer flows through the area. They will forage in areas of heavy clay soils adjacent to the sandy soils, but do not dig burrows in these areas, which become water-logged in the wet seasons. At Epping Forest National Park, burrows are often associated with native bauhina trees, Lysiphyllum hookeri. This tree has a spreading growth form and it roots probably provide stability for the extensive burrows dug by northern hairy-nosed wombats. What does the burrow of a northern hairy-nosed wombat look like?

Fresh wombat prints and several runaways at a burrow at Epping Forest National Park. Photo: Alan Horsup Map of Burrow 128 at Epping Forest National Park A northern hairy-nosed wombat burrow can be spotted by the mound of dug-out sand at the entrance, which can be more than one metre high and several metres long. A ‘runway’ passes through the mound and leads to the burrow entrance. Wombats dig the burrow with their forepaws, and throw loose sand behind them with their forepaws and hind feet. They then walk backwards out of their burrow to bulldoze the sand clear. A northern hairy-nosed wombat will mark the entrance and mound near its burrow with dung, splashes of urine and scratches. Researchers at Epping Forest National Park have mapped several northern hairy-nosed wombat burrows. The largest mapped burrow contained more than 90 metres of tunnels and six entrances. Major burrows average three to three and a half metres deep. The tunnel is only just wide enough for a wombat to pass—at a little less than half a metre.

Temperatures in the burrows are remarkably stable and do not vary by more than 5–6°C each day. Even on cold winter nights when temperatures above ground drop below zero, burrow temperature will not drop below about 12°C. On hot summer days when outside temperatures top 40°C, deep burrow temperatures do rise above 28°C. Humidities in deep burrows are higher than outside humidities. By breathing moist air in their burrows, northern hairy-nosed wombats conserve moisture in hot dry times. Map of Burrow 128 at Epping Forest National Park. The burrow contained 53 metres of tunnels at an average depth of 2.35m. Maximum depth was 2.7m. The burrow was mapped by drilling a 50mm diameter 'porthole' near the burrow entrance. A camera was inserted to determine the direction of the burrow and the next porthole was drilled, and so on, until the end was reached. (Map courtesy of Glenn Shimmin). Burrows are popular with other animals such as swamp wallabies, echidnas and goannas, which rest in the burrows during hot weather.

What do northern hairy-nosed wombats eat? The skull of a northern hairy-nosed wombat Photo: EHP Northern hairy-nosed wombats eat almost 100% native and introduced grasses. They eat leaves rather than stems, which provide the wombats with good nutrition. They feed for an average of six hours a night in winter and two hours in summer. By comparison, an eastern grey kangaroo of similar size needs to feed for about 18 hours a day. This is because the wombats' cool, humid burrows help them to conserve energy. Northern hairy-nosed wombats will only come out to feed at night and only when it's not too cold or too hot and dry. Radio-tracking has shown that northern hairy-nosed wombats feed over a fairly small area for an animal of their size—about 27 hectares. Winter (dry season) feeding areas are larger than summer (wet season) areas due to the lower availability of food. There is no difference in size between the areas used by males and females. Wombats’ teeth continue to grow all their life. They grow from the roots at the same rate as they are worn through use.

This means even a very old wombat still has all its strong teeth and is capable of grinding its food very finely. Even in droughts, adult northern hairy-nosed wombats stay in generally good health and body condition. This is because of their ability to conserve energy and water in the stable environment of their burrows and by only venturing out when conditions are optimal. At Epping Forest National Park and Richard Underwood Nature Refuge supplementary food and water stations have been installed. These are mostly visited by wombats in the dry seasons and not all northern hairy-nosed wombats will use them. How do northern hairy-nosed wombats breed? Fully furred pouch young Photo: EHP Based on the southern hairy-nosed wombat, female northern hairy-nosed wombats are likely to be sexually mature at about 2.5 years old and males at about 3 years old. At Epping Forest National Park, most young are born in summer between November and April. They are in the pouch for eight to nine months. The exact time young wombats spend with their mothers is unknown, but it's probably about one year. The timing of births means that young wombats start eating green nutritious grass during summer (the wet season).

Between 50 and 80% of females breed in good years, giving birth to one wombat at a time. Breeding rates fell during a drought through much of the 1990s. Better than average rainfall at Epping Forest National Park from 1996 to 2000 turned things around and very good rains in 2009/10 have provided good breeding conditions on the park. Camera and footprint monitoring in recent years have indicated that there is a significant number of young wombats in the population. What are the threats to northern hairy-nosed wombats? Flooding at Epping Forest National Park in January 2008 Photo: EHP Small population size: A threat to the northern hairy-nosed wombat's survival is the low number of wombats and that, until recently, all occurred in a single population. Small populations are much more susceptible to local catastrophes (flood, fire, disease) and loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding, than large populations. Predation: In 2000 and 2001, despite the presence of a regular baiting program, at least ten northern hairy-nosed wombats were killed by wild dogs.

This equates to nearly 10% of the population at that time. In response to this threat, the Queensland Government built a 20km long predator-proof fence around all wombat habitat at Epping Forest National Park in 2002 to permanently protect the population. Competition for food: The main competitor for food of the northern hairy-nosed wombats within the enclosure at Epping Forest National Park is the eastern grey kangaroo. Disease: Diseases, such as toxoplasmosis (found in cat faeces) or mange, are potential threats to the wombats. Floods: Floods are also a potential threat. In January 2008, Epping Forest National Park was isolated by the floodwaters that covered much of central Queensland. The Belyando River normally flows some 10km to the west of Epping Forest National Park, but at the flood's peak the Park was in the middle of a vast inland sea, with water from the river flowing through the western boundary and wrapping around the park.

Anxious Queensland government officers conducted a helicopter inspection during and after the flood and were relieved to find that the predator-proof fence had withstood the force of the flood, and that most of the wombat burrows appeared to be on elevated ground above the water level. Drought: Drought, such as the six year drought in the 1990s, slows reproductive output and reduces the body condition and survival rates of existing members of the wombat population. Wildfire: The threat of a wildfire for wombats is not the fire itself—they are well protected in their deep burrows—it is the loss of their food supply during the fire. Maintaining a good fire break system on the park and burning periodically to create a mosaic of burned and unburned areas is the best strategy for protecting the wombats from the effects of a major wildfire. Loss of habitat: The habitat at Epping Forest National Park and Richard Underwood Nature Refuge is well protected. However, loss of habitat through tree clearing and habitat alteration means that there are a limited number of places in which to establish new population of northern hairy-nosed wombats.

Recovery Actions Carrying a translocated wombat to a starter burrow at the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge Photo: EHP A sedated wombat wearing a radio-tracking collar at Epping Forest National Park. Photo: EHP A starter burrow being constructed at the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge Photo: Alan Horsup The management of northern hairy-nosed wombats at Epping Forest National Park. As the majority of the northern hairy-nosed wombats live in Epping Forest National Park , this population is critical for the survival of the species. The following management actions are undertaken to conserve the wombats and their habitat: research and monitoring of the wombats fire management maintenance of the predator-proof fence control of predators and competitors weed control. The Xstrata reintroduction project There is a significant risk that one natural event such as fire, flood, drought or disease could wipe out the entire species whilst there remained only one population at Epping Forest National Park . Therefore, a second colony was needed to minimise the risk of extinction. In order to establish a second colony, it was necessary to translocate wombats from Epping Forest National Park to a new site at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge .

The reintroduction of wombats to a new site was a specific objective of the Recovery plan for the northern hairy-nosed wombat Lasiorhinus krefftii 2004–2008 . Xstrata (now Glencore), a leading mining company, has sponsored the reintroduction project as part of their Corporate Social Involvement (CSI) Program. The ongoing management actions for wombats at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge include: monitor the translocated wombats Steve Steve Wombats Wombats Wombats are an Australian burrowing animal. There are three species; The Common Wombat, Vombatus ursinus, The Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat, Lasiorhinus latifrons, and the Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat, Lasiorhinus krefftii. Relatives The nearest living relative to the Wombat is the Koala. There are several extinct species of Wombat. They are also related to the Diprotodon which was the biggest extinct Marsupial known. Size Wombats can grow to over 30 Kilograms (66 pounds) although the average is less. They are the biggest burrowing herbivorous animal in the world.

Wombats have a big brain for their size. Intelligence Wombats are an intelligent animal but people disagree about how intelligent. Some put its intelligence as being roughly equal to that of a Dog while others think they are quite a bit more intelligent than a Dog. This is surprising. High intelligence usually seems to be associated with predators like Dogs, Cats and Quolls, or with Omnivores like Humans, Pigs and Apes. Considering the fairly high energy requirements to grow and support a big brain, and the Wombats diet and life style it is particularly odd. Diet Wombats are mostly grazing animals, preferring to eat young green native grasses. The vicinity of active Wombat burrows is often covered with short green “lawns”. In times of drought they will eat more fibrous things like the bark and roots of trees. Digestion Wombats have an extremely efficient digestive system. It is better at getting all possible nutrients from the sometimes indigestible food than the digestion of animals like Cattle and Rabbits. Water Wombats use the water from their food very efficiently. One simple way they save water is to go underground in hot weather, only coming out at night.

They may go a long time without drinking, but can drink deeply if they need to. Threats Fourth Crossing Wildlife - The Common Wombat and Sarcoptic Mange .. Sarcoptic mange is a nasty disease that predominantly affects the Bare-Nosed Wombat throughout its range. Sadly, the condition has also recently been found in Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat populations in South Australia, however there is no record of the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat being affected. Contrary to popular belief, the spread of mange is not entirely due to wombats - the introduced fox and feral dogs are also hosts for mange and contribute to mange dispersal. It is considered that the fox may have initially brought the might that causes the disease to Australia. The mite is called Sarcoptes scabiei which has many different sub-species that affect a number of different hosts. Although Sarcoptes scabiei is transferable between different hosts - including humans - it is usually host specific and therefore is self limiting. The mite that affects wombats - often fatally - is called Sarcoptes scabiei var wombati. Sarcoptic mites first mate on the skin of the wombat and the male dies not long after.

The female mites then burrow under the skin of the wombat leaving a network of tunnels in the flesh where eggs are laid, the female then dies at the end of a tunnel. The mite eggs are nurtured via the wombat's blood serum and hatch into larvae three to eight days later. Larvae then moult into nymphs - and nymphs into adults. During this cycle the mite feeds off the wombat's blood serum which is the main contributor to the debilitation of the wombat. Once the nymphs have turned into adults they make their way back to the surface of the skin - creating more tunnels - where they mate and the cycle starts again. The life cycle of the mite is approximately two to three weeks. Sarcoptic mange is a severe disease and affects the host in several ways. The irritation caused by the mite burrowing under the skin causes the wombat to scratch incessantly which in itself causes often irreparable damage to the skin including mutilation and hair loss. From the constant scratching, skin layers are taken off and raw flesh is exposed. The blood serum seeps through the mites' tunnels to the exposed flesh creating wounds and scabs.

Ulcers and deep lesions develop which then cause secondary infection and blow fly strike. Other visible symptoms of this disease are skin thickening and crusting over the body, including they eye and ear areas causing blindness and deafness. The animal becomes too weak to search for food and malnutrition and dehydration occur. The immune system becomes depleted and the wombat looks emaciated. In advanced stages sarcoptic mange also has a devastating effect on internal organs, including the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive organs. Respiratory infections and pneumonia can deplete the wombat further. Left without treatment, a wombat with sarcoptic mange will die and death is slow and painful. We, at Cedar Creek Wombat Rescue, have been caring for wombats for several years and have a continual stream of mange affected wombats passing through our doors. We seem to get mainly females without joeys, as wombats in this condition don't breed. Sadly, if mange is contracted by a female with a joey she will often reject it as she can't cope with the extra burden, so we tend to keep an eye out for abandoned wombat joeys in our area.

Entire colonies of the Bare-Nosed Wombat are being lost to this horrible disease; however an affected wombat can completely recover if it is treated early. You can help save these animals by reporting cases to your local wildlife organisation or to your local National Parks and Wildlife Service office. Record the time and exact location of the wombat so that it can be found easily by a ranger or wildlife carer. And remember - the quicker you act the more chance a wombat has of survival!

Question: Which Australian marsupial has 3 species, the Common, the Southern Hairy-nosed, and the Northern-Hairy nosed ?
Answer: WOMBAT