Overview

The common wombat is a sturdy, short-legged marsupial built like a furry boulder — powerful diggers that excavate extensive burrow systems in forest and grassland across southeastern Australia and Tasmania.

Wombats are famously the only animals that produce cube-shaped droppings, which they stack on rocks and logs to mark territory without them rolling away. They have a reinforced rump plate used to block burrow entrances against predators.

Habitat

Temperate forest, coastal scrub, and grassland in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and South Australia hold common wombats. They need soil soft enough for digging and grass for grazing.

Countries found

Wombat in Australia

Interesting facts

01
Wombats produce cube-shaped droppings so they don't roll off marking rocks.
02
Their backward-facing pouch keeps dirt out while digging.
03
A wombat's burrow can extend over 30 metres underground.

Conservation status

LC — Least Concern

Common wombats are Least Concern but suffer locally from sarcoptic mange, road mortality, and habitat loss. Tasmania and Victoria hold the largest populations.