Northern hairy-nosed wombat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern hairy-nosed wombat |
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Gray, 1863
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L. krefftii
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| Lasiorhinus krefftii (Owen, 1873)
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| Northern hairy-nosed wombat range | |
The northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii), also called the yaminon, is a very special Australian marsupial. It is one of the rarest land mammals on Earth. This amazing animal is currently critically endangered, meaning it is at very high risk of disappearing forever.
Long ago, these wombats lived across New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. About a century ago, people thought they were gone. But in the 1930s, a small group of about 30 wombats was found. They lived in a small area of about 3 square kilometers (1.2 sq mi). This area was inside the 32 square kilometers (12 sq mi) Epping Forest National Park in Queensland.
To protect them from wild dogs, the Queensland Government built a 20-kilometer (12 mi) long fence. This special fence went around all the wombat homes in Epping Forest National Park in 2002. Since then, some wombats have been moved to other safe places. This helps make sure the species can survive dangers like fires, floods, or sickness.
By 2003, there were 113 wombats in total, with about 30 females that could have babies. By 2015, about 230 wombats were counted. This number grew to over 300 by 2021. In June 2024, reports showed over 400 wombats in total. This shows that conservation efforts are helping these unique animals.
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What's in a Name?
An English scientist named Richard Owen first described this wombat in 1873. The scientific name, Lasiorhinus, comes from Latin words. Lasios means "hairy" or "shaggy," and rhinus means "nose." So, its name literally means "hairy nose"!
The common name, northern hairy-nosed wombat, describes where it used to live. It also points to the soft fur, or "whiskers," on its nose. Sometimes, older books call it the Queensland hairy-nosed wombat.
This wombat shares its genus, Lasiorhinus, with one other living species. That is the southern hairy-nosed wombat. The common wombat belongs to a different genus, Vombatus. Both hairy-nosed species have silkier fur, wider hairy noses, and longer ears than the common wombat.
Wombat Features: What Do They Look Like?
All wombat species are strong and stocky animals. They have big heads and short, powerful legs. Their bodies are built for digging.
Amazing Digging Skills
Wombats have very strong claws. They use these claws to dig their burrows. Burrows are underground tunnels and rooms where they live most of the time. It usually takes a wombat about one day to dig a new burrow.
Northern hairy-nosed wombats have soft, grey fur all over their bodies. The fur on their noses is a key feature. It helps tell them apart from the common wombat. They also have longer, more pointed ears. Their muzzle (snout area) is much wider than the other two wombat species.
These wombats can grow to be about 35 centimeters (14 in) tall. They can be up to 1 meter (3.3 ft) long. They can weigh as much as 40 kilograms (88 lb). Female wombats are a bit larger than males. This is because they have an extra layer of fat. They are slightly bigger than the common wombat. They can also have babies a bit faster. On average, they have two young every three years.
A Special Nose and Unique Poop
The northern hairy-nosed wombat's nose is very important for its survival. They have poor eyesight. So, they rely on their excellent sense of smell to find food in the dark.
Here's a fun fact: wombats produce cube-shaped poop! Scientists have studied their insides. They found that the end of their large intestine can shape their waste into cubes.
Where Do These Wombats Live?
Northern hairy-nosed wombats need special places to live. They need deep, sandy soils for digging their burrows. They also need a steady supply of grass all year round. Grass is their main food. These areas are usually found in open eucalypt woodlands.
Their Special Home in Epping Forest
At Epping Forest National Park, these wombats dig burrows in deep, sandy soil. This soil was left behind by an old creek. They find food in nearby areas with heavy clay soils. But they do not dig burrows there. Clay soils get too wet during the rainy seasons.
In the park, wombat burrows are often near native bauhina trees (Lysiphyllum hookeri). These trees have wide-spreading roots. The roots likely help keep the wombats' large burrows stable.
By the 1980s, almost all northern hairy-nosed wombats lived in one small area. This was about 300 hectares (740 acres) in Epping National Forest. It is in east-central Queensland, about 120 kilometers (75 mi) north-west of Clermont.
Since then, new groups of wombats have been started in two other places. One is the 130-hectare (320-acre) Richard Underwood Nature Refuge. This was in 2009, near St George. Another group was started in 2024. This group lives in the 2800-hectare (6,900-acre) Powrunna State Forest.
Wombat Life: Habits and Reproduction
The northern hairy-nosed wombat is a nocturnal animal. This means it is active at night. During the day, they live underground in their networks of burrows. They stay underground during bad weather. Their burrows keep a steady temperature and humidity.
Wombats sometimes share burrows. Up to 10 individuals have been known to share a burrow. These groups usually have an equal number of males and females.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Young wombats are usually born during the wet season. This is between November and April. When there is plenty of rain, many females will have babies. They usually give birth to one baby at a time. Baby wombats stay in their mothers' pouches for 8 to 9 months. They stop drinking milk at about 12 months old.
These wombats can go without food for several days. This happens when food is hard to find. They have fat reserves and a slow metabolism. Even when they eat every day, they only feed for about 6 hours in winter. In summer, they feed for only 2 hours. This is much less than a kangaroo of similar size. Kangaroos eat for at least 18 hours a day.
What Do Wombats Eat?
Their diet mainly consists of native grasses. These include black speargrass (Heteropogon contortus), bottle washer grasses (Enneapogon spp.), golden beard grass (Chrysopogon fallax), and three-awned grass (Aristida spp.). They also eat various types of roots.
Wombat teeth keep growing throughout their lives. The tough grasses they eat help wear down their teeth. Unfortunately, their habitat has been taken over by African buffel grass. This grass was brought in for cattle. It grows better than the native grasses wombats prefer. This means wombats have to travel further to find their favorite food. This can make it harder for them to get enough to eat.
Protecting Our Hairy-Nosed Wombats
The northern hairy-nosed wombat is a critically endangered species. This means it needs a lot of help to survive.
Why Are They in Danger?
Long ago, there were two main groups of hairy-nosed wombats. They were separated by Spencer Gulf in South Australia. Both groups saw their numbers drop between 1870 and 1920. This was due to several reasons. Farmers sometimes removed them. They also faced competition for food from new animals brought to Australia. And predators hunted them.
Today, the northern hairy-nosed wombat faces many threats. These include its small population size. Wild dogs are their main predators. They also compete for food with animals like the European rabbit. Sickness, floods, droughts, and wildfires are also dangers. Losing their habitat is another big problem. Because there are so few of them, and they live in small areas, natural disasters are a huge risk.
Scientists have also found a type of sickness in some male wombats. It is caused by a fungus from the soil. Wombats likely breathe in this fungus from their burrows.
How We Are Helping Them Survive
Since about 1993, the Queensland Government's Department of Environment and Science (DES) has led a recovery program. Mining company Glencore and The Wombat Foundation also support this work.
Many projects have been started to help these wombats. For example, a two-meter-high, predator-proof fence was built. This fence, about 20 kilometers (12 mi) long, was finished around 2000. It protects the wombats in Epping Forest National Park.
A second safe home was set up in 2008. This was at the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge (RUNR) near St George. This reserve is also surrounded by a predator-proof fence. In 2021, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) joined DES. They work together on research and managing the wombats. In October 2023, AWC agreed to care for the wombats at the 130-hectare (320-acre) Richard Underwood Nature Reserve. DES now focuses on the Epping Forest population.
Researchers use clever methods to study wombats without disturbing them. In 2006, they used double-sided tape in burrows. This collected wombat hair. By studying the DNA from the hair, they learned about the wombat population. They found more males than females. This helps scientists understand the species better.
At Epping Forest National Park, more money and attention are given to wombat research. They monitor the population and manage fires. They also keep the predator-proof fence in good repair. They control predators and competing animals. They also remove invasive plant species.
There is also a volunteer caretaker program. Volunteers help monitor the wombats. They also help keep the predator fence working well. DNA fingerprinting from hair means scientists can study wombats without trapping them.
Good News: Wombat Numbers Are Growing!
Thanks to all these efforts, the northern hairy-nosed wombat population is slowly growing!
- After being thought extinct, about 30 wombats were found in Epping Forest in the 1930s. Only 35 were counted in the early 1980s.
- By 2003, the total population was 113 wombats. About 30 of these were females that could have babies.
- A census in 2013 counted about 196 wombats. An additional 9 wombats were at RUNR.
- By 2016, the population was estimated to be 250 wombats.
- By May 2021, researchers found that the population had increased to over 300 individuals.
- In June 2024, reports showed over 400 wombats in total. This included 18 at the RUNR. It also included 15 wombats newly moved to the Powrunna State Forest.
Related Pages
See also
In Spanish: Wombat del norte para niños
