Animal Profiles
Mammals

Wombat

Vombatidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Wombats are burrowing Australian marsupials. This account describes the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus), a stocky grazer with powerful digging claws.

Vombatus ursinus (wombat)

Representative species: Vombatus ursinus.

JJ Harrison ( jjharrison89@facebook.com ) · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Common wombats live in southeastern Australia and Tasmania, using woodland, grassy areas and coastal scrub where soil permits burrowing. Other wombats have different ranges.
Habitat
Temperate forest, Grassland
Diet
Herbivore
Food
Grasses, sedges and other fibrous plants make up the diet.

Classification

Common name
Wombat
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Vombatidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Diprotodontia
Family
Vombatidae
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its incisors continue growing.
  • A joey develops in its mother's pouch.
  • Its claws excavate burrows.

Habitat and range

Common wombats live in southeastern Australia and Tasmania, using woodland, grassy areas and coastal scrub where soil permits burrowing. Other wombats have different ranges.

Appearance and adaptations

Short limbs, a broad head and coarse fur suit this ground-dwelling animal. Unlike hairy-nosed wombats, the common wombat has a bare nose.

Diet and behaviour

Grasses, sedges and other fibrous plants make up the diet. A large digestive tract and microbial fermentation help process tough vegetation. Young continue developing in the pouch after birth.

Sources

Explore mammals

Browse all mammals