Lasiorhinus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lasiorhinus |
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| Southern hairy-nosed wombat | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Diprotodontia |
| Family: | Vombatidae |
| Genus: | Lasiorhinus Gray, 1863 |
| Type species | |
| Lasiorhinus latifrons Owen, 1845
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| Species | |
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See text |
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Hairy-nosed wombats are amazing animals found only in Australia. They belong to a group called Lasiorhinus. There are two main types of hairy-nosed wombats alive today. One is the southern hairy-nosed wombat. The other is the northern hairy-nosed wombat. These special creatures are known for their soft, furry noses.
Contents
Types of Hairy-Nosed Wombats
There are two main species of hairy-nosed wombats. Each lives in different parts of Australia. They also have different conservation statuses. This means how much they are at risk of disappearing.
Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
The northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) is very rare. It is listed as Critically Endangered. This means it is at a very high risk of becoming extinct. Today, these wombats only live in a small area. This area is about 3 square kilometers (1.2 square miles). It is inside the Epping Forest National Park in Queensland. In the past, they also lived in Victoria and New South Wales.
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Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
The southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is more common. However, it is still listed as Near Threatened. This means it might become endangered in the future. You can find these wombats in semi-dry to dry areas. Their home stretches from New South Wales southwest to the border of South Australia and Western Australia.
Where Hairy-Nosed Wombats Live
Hairy-nosed wombats are found only in Australia. Their homes are often in dry or semi-dry areas. They dig burrows to live in. These burrows help them stay cool in hot weather.
Northern Wombat Habitat
The northern hairy-nosed wombat's home is very small. It is only in a national park in Queensland. This park helps protect them.
Southern Wombat Habitat
The southern hairy-nosed wombat lives in a wider area. This includes parts of New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. They prefer areas with grass and shrubs.
Ancient Wombats: Fossils
Scientists have found fossils of ancient hairy-nosed wombats. A fossil is the remains of an animal or plant from a very long time ago. One fossil species is called †Lasiorhinus angustidens. Studying these fossils helps us learn about how wombats have changed over millions of years.
See also
In Spanish: Uómbats de hocico peludo para niños
