What is a wombat?
A wombat is a stocky, burrowing marsupial native to Australia. Wombats have short legs, powerful claws and a backward-facing pouch, which keeps dirt out when they dig. They are famous for producing cube-shaped poo.
There are three species: the common wombat, the southern hairy-nosed wombat and the northern hairy-nosed wombat. The northern hairy-nosed wombat is critically endangered, with a small population surviving in Queensland.
Wombats are herbivores, eating grasses, roots and bark. They are mostly active at night and spend the day in burrows, which can be long and complex.
Surprising speed and toughness
Although they look slow, wombats can run at around 40 kilometres per hour over short distances. Their rump is covered by tough skin and cartilage, which helps protect them from predators when they dive into burrows.
Wombats are often hit by cars at night. Mange, a skin disease caused by mites, is a major threat to some populations.
Wombats can live for more than 15 years in the wild. They are a common sight in places such as Wilsons Promontory, Maria Island and Cradle Mountain.