Saturday, September 25, 2010

Only In Australia



This week's PhotoHunt theme is natural.

Wombats can be found only in Australia.  Unfortunately, they are rather timid and primarily nocturnal, so it is often difficult to observe them in their "natural" habitat. We were lucky enough to come across this guy in Tasmania when he ventured out on a cool afternoon for a feed.
The large, pudgy, burrowing mammals are found across south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. They have sharp claws that they use to dig burrows in open grasslands and eucalyptus forests. They can grow to be a meter in length and weigh between 17-40 kg.
They are marsupials and they give birth to tiny, undeveloped young that crawl into pouches on their mothers' bellies, where they will remain for about five months.  The pouch is different from other marsupials since they face backward so no dirt gets in when it is tunneling.
Wombats do not have many natural predators and man is their greatest enemy. Destruction of their natural habitat as well as hunting, trapping, and poisoning has severely reduced the wombat's population in many areas, and has completely eradicated it in others. In most parts of Australia the wombat is now protected, with the exception of parts of eastern Victoria where it is classified as vermin and often shot.

11 comments:

  1. Hi Maya, that's a great shot and a wonderful take on this week's theme. Interesting to read how they carry their babies. I'm so glad that wombat's are now protected in parts of Australia.

    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  2. Aye they're cute alright but I wouldn't want one running around my tent at night - I poo myself ;-)

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  3. I know they're wild animals and all but wow, that little critter looks soooooo huggable! ;b

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  4. Great post and what an adorable animal.

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  5. I don't think I have ever seen one in the wild growing up in Australia as I did. Lucky capture for you.

    Happy weekend to you.

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  6. I'd be naturally worried about the little ones falling out the back if I were a wombat.

    My PhotoHunt is here.

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  7. Protect the Wombats. They are wonderful animals

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  8. Love the photo, I have never even seen a photo of one before. Really enjoyed learning about them. Thanks for stopping by.

    Sandra
    Acappuccinoaday.blogspot.com

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  9. Great shot! I don't remeber seeing a photo of a wombat either.

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  10. Such a strange but beautiful creature. I hope they are protected in Eastern Victoria soon. It would be a tragedy for Aus to lose them

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  11. Nice Post. Thanks for posting such a nice article with such a nice Picture. Specially we should take care of those so rare species. Keep it up.

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