Species · GBIF taxon 2440301
Common Wombat
Vombatus ursinusAlso known as Bare-nosed Wombat, Coarse-haired Wombat, Island Wombat
Common wombats are sturdy, burrow-dwelling marsupials that use their powerful claws and backward-facing pouches to excavate extensive underground tunnel networks. They produce distinctive cube-shaped droppings, which they deposit on elevated surfaces like rocks and logs to mark their territories. While solitary by nature, their complex burrows often provide critical refuge for other wildlife during bushfires.
NocturnalBurrowingMarsupial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Native grasses
- Sedges
- Roots and bark
Predators
- Dingoes
- Tasmanian devils
- Domestic dogs
ThreatsSarcoptic mange, habitat fragmentation, vehicle collisions, and dog attacks
HabitatsEucalypt forests, woodlands, coastal scrub, and alpine heathlands
Life span10 to 15 years in the wild, up to 30 years in captivity
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyVombatidae
- SpeciesVombatus ursinus
Native
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Can charge or bite if cornered; maintain a respectful distance and do not block burrow entrances.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with powerful jaws, sharp claws, and a heavily reinforced cartilage rump used to crush predators against burrow walls.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a stocky, barrel-shaped body, short legs, a bare snout, and small rounded ears.
- What to do
- Never attempt to touch, feed, or corner a wild wombat; back away slowly if one approaches.
Responsible observation
- Keep your distance: Wombats may look slow but can run up to 40 kilometers per hour when startled.
- Watch the ground: Look for distinctive cube-shaped droppings on rocks and logs to locate active territories.
- Avoid burrow entrances: Never stand over or block a burrow, as a returning wombat may charge.
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Close Relative (c) jraus, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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