Three common wombats live the good life at the Australia Zoo: Dozer and Minibus — two cute and friendly females — and Chisel, a very naughty male.
Common wombats live in southeastern Australia and Tasmania. They prefer heath, coastal scrub and open forest habitats, where the soil tends to be loose and easy to dig.
Wombats love to burrow. They are, in fact, the world's largest burrowing mammals. With broad, flattened heads, compact bodies, short, powerful limbs and wide, large-clawed feet, digging is a cinch for the common wombat.
A single wombat will establish several burrows, called warrens, in its home range. These are typically built on grassy banks above creeks or gullies, where they have easy access to native grasses and drinking water.
Large wombat warrens can include numerous underground branches, several sleeping chambers, and multiple entrances and exits, extending a total length of up to 650 feet. Wombats also build many small warrens, which are usually less than 7 feet in length, to be used as quick escape routes when predators are afoot.
They are solitary creatures, known for their intolerance of others. Wombats frequently chase intruders from their burrows and home areas. Curiously though, they have also been observed visiting each other's burrows in apparent peace.
Wombats emerge at dusk, when temperatures are low, to feed on native grasses, sedges and other vegetation. They spend anywhere from three to eight hours a night grazing, during which time they may travel several miles and visit up to four burrows.
Wombats spend the daylight hours resting in their cool burrows, especially during the warmer seasons. While at rest, a wombat's metabolism will slow down to two-thirds of its normal rate. In cooler weather, wombats will occasionally bask in the sun or scrounge for food during the day.
Want a closer look? Check out More Wombat Photos.
To learn more about the zoo, check out The Australia Zoo in Depth.
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