Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) lives in temperate grasslands across Southern Australia. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat
- In captivity some southern hairy-nosed wombats have reached 34 years. Documented individuals include Carver, a male at Brookfield Zoo who lived to 34, his mother Vicky who reached 24, a tame South Australian wombat named Wally who also attained 34 years, and Hamlet at the Toronto Zoo who died at the same age.
- The standard metabolic rate of southern hairy-nosed wombats in captivity is only 130 kl kg⁻⁰·⁷⁵ per day, a value that is exceptionally low for mammals. Such a low metabolic demand helps the wombat survive on the poor, fibrous diet typical of its arid habitats.
- Burrow interiors of southern hairy-nosed wombats remain within the animal's preferred thermo-neutral zone, staying around 14 °C in mid-winter and rising to 26 °C in midsummer. Outside, ambient temperatures can plunge to about 2 °C in winter and exceed 36 °C in summer, creating a stark contrast. By retreating to their burrows, wombats experience a stable microclimate that protects them from extreme surface heat and cold.
- The southern hairy-nosed wombat produces exceptionally dry droppings, with water making up only about 40 % of the mass. This dryness results from the animal's ability to recycle more urea back into its colon instead of excreting it as urine. By retaining water in this way, wombats lose far less fluid than other herbivorous mammals, an adaptation that helps them survive in arid environments.
- A diverse gut microbiome enables the southern hairy-nosed wombat to extract most of its energy from fibrous plants. Microbial fermentation of fibre in the gastrointestinal tract supplies over 60 % of the animal's daily energy requirements. The fermentation mainly occurs in the distal colon, where microbial community composition differs from the proximal section, maximising nutrient extraction from a poor diet.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSouthern Australia
HabitatTemperate grasslands
DietGrasses and roots
About the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat
In the sun-baked landscapes of southern Australia, the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat roams with deliberate intent, its sturdy legs propelling it forward with a gentle, unhurried gait, as if savoring the warmth that seeps into its thick, woolly coat. As it moves, the wombat's keen sense of smell guides it through a world of subtle scents and textures, uncovering hidden treasures of roots and grasses that sustain it in this harsh yet beautiful land. With its robust physique and unassuming demeanor, this remarkable creature embodies the quiet resilience of the outback, a testament to the enduring power of life in one of the world's most unforgiving environments.
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