2788-Wombat 23cm.

Wombat

Description Wombats are marsupials that look like a combination of a pig, a bear, and a gopher. These animals have compact heads, short legs, wide feet, and tough claws that are effective for digging. Just like koalas and kangaroos, wombats have a pouch and are classified as marsupials. They are also nocturnal animals and are more active at night. Bark, grasses, and roots are some of the normal parts of their diet. All species of wombats naturally live in the forests, mountains, and grasslands of Tasmania, Australia and other nearby islands. They use their strong claws to dig burrows, tunnels and chambers, which serve as their home. Some of the tunnels made by wombat reach over 650 feet in length. Moreover, these stubby marsupials typically place their cube-shaped feces on rocks or fallen trees to mark their territory. While common wombats live alone in their burrows, some species live together in large groups called colonies.

Status The International Union for Conservation of Nature state that the Northern hairy-nosed wombat, which can be found in Epping Forest National Park, is classified as endangered. Wombats have been hunted for sport and for their fur. In addition, they are also hunted because they damage fields and pastures with their digging.