Wombat: An animal of Australia. "Little Bears" of the Green Continent

The inhabitant of the Australian expanses, wombat - an animal, immediately has to itself an incredibly mobile emotional muzzle and the appearance resembling a bear cub. This representative of the family of dwarf marsupials appeared on the Earth almost 18 million years ago and survived to this day, practically without undergoing any radical changes. We learn the details about the existence of these unique herbivores.

Wombat: photo. Animal and its features

Living in the south and east of Australia, wombats are found in many states of the continent, where there is a suitable ground for digging holes. The nearest relatives of marsupials are koalas, these animals are very similar to them, but their evolutionary lines diverged, according to scientists, long before the appearance of the known species today.

These lovely "cubs" reach in length from 0,7 to 1,2 m and weigh from 20 to 40 kg. Nature thoughtfully arranged their compact body, providing short and strong flat limbs, ending with five fingers, crowned with strong claws, adapted to dig holes. Supplemented by a description of a short undeveloped tail, an impressive head, making an impression a little flattened from the sides, and small eyes.

Kinds

The uniqueness of these animals is emphasized by the scarcity of their species. Wombat is an animal of Australia, not found anywhere else in the world. There are only four types of this marsupial:

• Ordinary, or large. The main features are hard wool, rounded short ears and lack of hair on a small area of the muzzle. Jaws and teeth in this species are similar in structure to rodents. In the center of the upper and lower rows is a pair of classical long incisors.

• Tasmanian. The species is the most thermophilic and rare, although it was very common before. It occurs on Tasmania and Flinders Island.
• Broadly. Also a rare species that is widespread only in South Australia. Exterminated because of soft silky wool.
• Small wombat is a species inhabiting Queensland.

Lifestyle

The marsupial animal wombat is the largest of mammals engaged in digging holes and conducting a significant part of life underground. Perhaps, it was this kind of life that allowed this unique population to be preserved to the present day.

Strong and sharp claws they are able to dig through the ground complex passages, small caves and tunnels. The burrows that the wombat digs are like badgers: flowery corridors of various lengths (from 3 to 30 meters) lead to the room used by wombat as a dwelling. There he arranges a cozy nest.

Wombat is an animal at night. Activity increases with the onset of the night, when he begins to search for food, moving quickly enough. Sometimes these amazing "Australians" develop a high speed - up to 40 km / h, although only at short distances. In the daytime it's difficult to see them, as they rest in their caves.

What do "small bears" eat?

Wombat is a gourmet animal. He is picky and searches young tender shoots of herbs, sweet roots of some plants, forest berries and mushrooms. The structure of the upper lip, divided into two parts, allows wombats to choose exactly the food that they like, as the animal's front teeth can freely reach the smallest sprout or rootlet. Not the least role in finding food from wombats is played by the sense of smell.

These unique animals have the same incredible, but effective metabolism. Digestion of food in wombat lasts 14 days. And according to the consumption of water, these "Australians" are the leaders among mammals after the camel: for an average functioning of the organism, on average, it is enough for them 0.5-0.7 liters of water per kg of body weight per day.

Wombat enemies and ways to protect

In the Australian "bear" in nature there are almost no natural enemies. The main opponents can be considered dingo and Tasmanian devil. Nature took care of protecting the wombat, creating a kind of shell from the back of the body, inventing an unusual combination of bones and cartilages, covered with extremely hard skin. Sensing the danger, they turn backwards, blocking the entrance to the burrow, and successfully repel attackers. If an uninvited guest climbs into the hole, the wombat skillfully pushes him into the corner and strives to strangle him with the same protective "device". He is able to deliver the strongest blows to the head, acting like a goat, which also leads to the flight or death of the victim.

Reproduction

Wombats have no pronounced periods for reproduction. This process can occur at any time and in any place. Wombat is a monogamous animal. The mother cares about the baby and leaves no worries about him until he reaches puberty - two years of age. Offspring up to 6-8 months are in the mother bag, and when you go out into the light, it stays with your mother for more than a year. The life span of this interesting beast in nature reaches 15 years, and individuals in captivity can live up to 25.

I must say that for Australians wombat (photo) - the animal is almost homemade, because often lives next to people, getting to them for various reasons, sometimes tragic.