The wombat is the largest burrowing mammal and is so skilled in this area that early European settlers referred to it as a "badger." However, its closest relative is the koala.

The southern hairy-nosed wombat is one of three species of wombat. It is slightly smaller and has more reddish fur than the other two species: the northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) and the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus). Additionally, the southern hairy-nosed wombat has longer ears and a shorter, more pointed muzzle, which may feature white hairs around the nose. 


Scientific Name: Lasiorhinus latifrons

Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Size: 30 to 36 in. in length

Weight: 42 to 71 lbs.

Wombat near tunnel in habitat
Nutrition
Wombats primarily consume native grasses, but their diet can also include shrubs, roots, sedges, bark, herbs, and mosses. When food is scarce, wombats might dig up parts of dead grass to get to the roots beneath.

At the Zoo, the wombat diet consists of hay, high-fiber grain, a specially formulated leaf-eater biscuit, root vegetables, green beans, bananas, squash, and browse.
Current Range and Historic Range
The southern hairy-nosed wombat is native to Australia, ranging from southern New South Wales to the southeastern part of the continent. It is now unevenly distributed across this wide area.
Habitat
The species lives in dry grasslands, open fields, shrubland, savannas, and open woodlands.
Predators and Threats
Predators include humans, dingos, wild dogs, and red foxes.

The change of natural habitats into agricultural land and urban areas has broken up wombat populations. They are threatened by competition for food from domestic livestock and introduced rabbits. In some areas, they are seen as a nuisance, which leads to targeted killing. Drought is another major concern, especially when it comes to reproduction. The species needs at least three years without drought to increase its numbers, and it stops reproducing during drought years. Another major threat is mange, which is caused by a tiny mite. This condition results in severe skin problems and can lead to death. Mange can kill 80 to 90 percent of the affected animals.
Physical Description and Adaptations
Wombats are short, sturdy animals with round bodies, wide heads, and short necks. They have strong shoulders and limbs, along with short, flat feet that have wide claws. These features help them dig, as wombats are excellent diggers and can burrow through tough soil.

Their thick fur comes in different colors like black, gray, brown, and tan. Sometimes, their fur can be stained by soil, making it look darker or lighter.

The rump of a wombat is covered with very tough, thick skin. If they feel threatened, they can quickly dive into a burrow or hollow log, using their hard backs to protect themselves from attackers. If needed, they can use their backside to crush a predator against the roof of their burrow.

Southern hairy-nosed wombats have adaptations that allow them to thrive on a nutrient-poor diet consisting mainly of grasses and in challenging habitats. Their incisor and molar teeth have open roots, which means they continue to grow throughout the wombat's life. This characteristic helps them deal with the wear from the tough plants they eat. When they are in their burrows, wombats can lower their body temperature and slow down their metabolism, which helps them save water and energy.
Reproduction
Wombats usually mate during the winter. Due to the harsh conditions of their environment, wombats have adapted to breed only when resources are abundant. As a result, mating may not occur at all during a drought.

After mating, the female goes to a separate nursery burrow to give birth and care for her baby, called a joey. She gives birth to a single joey after about 22 days. At birth, the joey is very small, hairless, and weighs only about one gram, but it has strong front limbs that allow it to climb into the mother’s pouch. The joey will stay connected to its mother in the pouch for the first few months. A wombat’s pouch is positioned with the opening toward its back legs, preventing the joey from becoming covered in soil while the female digs.

The joey will first come out of the pouch when it is about six months old, although it can go back in whenever it needs to. As it grows, it starts to eat more plants and drink less milk. The joey permanently leaves the pouch at about one year old, about the same time it stops drinking milk. Since the young wombats depend on their mother for so long, females typically only have one baby every two years. Southern hairy-nosed wombats reach breeding maturity around three years old.
Communication
Wombats are mostly solitary creatures, meaning they usually prefer to be alone. However, sometimes their territories may cross over, and they may share burrows with other wombats. Therefore, it can often be aggressive when two wombats interact.  They communicate with a deep growl when they’re warning each other, but if a wombat feels alarmed or angry, it can make a loud, raspy hissing sound. This high-pitched call happens as they forcefully push air out.

To avoid competing for food, wombats mark their territory using scent. They rub their backs and rumps on logs and branches, spreading scent secretions from their anal scent glands. Wombats have unique cube-shaped dung which helps to keep their markers in place. 
Behaviors
Wombats walk in a somewhat clumsy, shuffling, or waddling way. Even though they look slow and gentle, wombats are very aware of their surroundings and can move quickly if they need to. They can run up to 25 miles per hour for short distances.

Southern hairy-nosed wombats create large systems of burrows called warrens, which connect different burrows together. These warrens can be shared by multiple wombats—sometimes as many as ten wombats might use the same warren! However, they don’t share the individual burrows within that warren. Most wombats tend to have one or two large warrens where they stay for most of the year. They spend about three-quarters of its time in its burrow, resting in its sleeping chamber.

To build a burrow, a wombat sits on its back legs and uses its front paws to dig into the ground, pushing the dirt aside. When it is time to leave, the wombat backs out of the burrow, pushing the dirt out with all four of its paws.

Wombats are most active at dawn and dusk. During the cooler months, they can be active during the day, often lying in the sun to warm themselves.