TopFamily
VombatidaeGenus
Vombatus
Species
ursinus
Threats/Control Methods - Regional
Wombats are often killed on roads, and can also be attacked by domestic or farm dogs.
Threats/Control Methods - Local
Local threats to wombat populations are similar to those experienced by wombats at the regional scale.Local/Urban Actions
Keeping control of dogs near habitat areas is an important step that people can take. This is true both in residential or recreational places.Common name/s
Common Wombat, Wombat
Distinguishing Features
The Common Wombat is a large marsupial, which can grow to over 1m in length, and individuals can weigh almost 40kg. They are stocky, with short legs, a broad head and no obvious tail. Their fur is thick and coarse. It is usually greyish brown, but can also have a reddish tinge or be almost black. The scats of wombats are very distinctive, being cube-shaped and usually found elevated on a log or rock.
Similar Species
There are no other species locally occurring which resemble the Common Wombat; the closest known population of another wombat species is further west near Jerilderee in NSW.
Distribution
The distribution of the Common Wombat stretches in a 300km wide arc following the coastline from northern NSW, through Victoria and into south-eastern South Australia. It is also found across Tasmania.
Country of Origin
Australia
TopSurvey Techniques
There are a number of techniques used in surveying wombat numbers, including night searching (spotlighting), scat identification and burrow searching.
Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National
Wombats are considered common, although their range has decreased significantly since European settlement.
Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional
The species is common across the ACT.
LSCCES Population
It is not known whether there are any wombat populations in the urban area, although they were not found in the LSCC survey.
Associated vegetation community
Breeding
Wombats may breed at any time of year, with very immature young born live and then living in the mother's pouch for about six months. Wombats become sexually mature at around 2 years old.
Behaviour
Wombats are primarily nocturnal, but may venture out in the daytime in the cooler months. They are territorial, and may cover a home range 5-23 Ha.
Functional Group
Food Species
The Common Wombat generally feeds on tussock grasses, kangaroo grass and wallaby grass, while they will also eat sedges and bark.
Predators
The Common Wombat is too large for many predators, however, dogs are know to attack them, with young Wombats being especially vulnerable.
Interesting Fact
Wombat burrows are large, and are usually dug close to rivers or streams. These burrows range in length, but can reach up to 30m, with some having more than one entrance.
Wombats can live for up to 20 years in the wild.
The Common Wombat is considered vermin in some parts of Victoria, where it is known to damage fences.
References - (reader suitability of references, P=Primary teachers, S=Secondary students, T=Tertiary students and researchers)
Books:Lintermans M. and Osborne W. (2002). Wet & Wild: A Field Guide to the Freshwater Animals of the Southern Tablelands and High Country of the ACT and NSW, Environment ACT, Canberra. S, T
Strahan R (ed), 1995. The Mammals of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed Books, Sydney. S, T
Online Resources:Tidemann, C., Roscoe, T. and Mitchell, B. 2006. Mammals of the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment, Canberra ACT. Prepared for the Life in the Suburbs project using data from the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment Ecological Survey (LSCCES). Australian National University. Canberra. [online]. Available at: http://www.lifeinthesuburbs.com.au/category.php?id=65 S, T
Researcher: Ian Rayner