When you think of Australia it’s usually the kangaroo that comes to mind, right? In an attempt to redeem a much lesser-known animal, I’ve made a list of 10 reasons why we should love the wombat just as much.
#1 Excellent Engineers
Other than being adorably chunky, wombats deserve a round of applause for being excellent engineers. Their burrows can be extensive networks stretching up to 650 feet long! They use their strong claws to dig these burrows, which keeps them safe from predators and harsh weather.
#2 A 14-Day Digestion Process
Usually, being fast is an advantage, but when it comes to digestion its actually the opposite hat’s true. Wombats have an incredibly slow metabolism – their digestive process can take up to 14 days! This allows them to live in rugged habitats and conserve water, both very much needed in the Australian terrain.
#3 Crushing Enemies With Their Butts
Wombats possess a unique defense mechanism: their tough butts. Composed of dense cartilage, a wombat’s bum is used effectively against predators. They can crush skulls of aggressors by retreating into their burrows and using the hard posterior to block the entrance or even crush an intruding predator against the burrow walls.
#4 Cubed-Shaped Poop
Wombats are the only animals in the entire world (that we know of) that produce cube-shaped feces. This peculiar trait helps the feces not to roll away, allowing wombats to mark their territory and communicate through scent more effectively.
#5 Incredibly Social Despite Their Grumpy Look
While wombats give of an air of being grumpy and feisty things, they are actually really social and love having friends around. They form complex social networks and use their burrows communally and have been observed interacting with each other.
#6 Robust Survivors
Wombats have a thick skin and a compact, muscular build that helps them withstand cooler temperatures. Although their coarse furs isn’t very cuddle friendly, it does protect them from both cold snaps and hot spells.
#7 Cousins of Koalas
You might be surprised at which animal is the wombat’s closest relative: the koala. Both species are marsupials found only in Australia, with similar pouches for rearing young.
#8 Chunky But Speedy
Don’t undermine them because of their chunky look – these little guys can run realy fast. They can run at speeds up to 25 miles per hour when threatened – which is faster than a lot of humans even.
#9 Impressive Lifespans
Wombats can live up to 15 years in the wild and even longer in captivity. Their longevity is impressive, especially considering the harsh environments they often inhabit.
#10 Cultural Icons
In Australia, wombats are considered cultural icons and are featured in Aboriginal folklore and modern stories. Their depiction in media and literature highlights their importance and beloved status in their native country – although they’re often outshined by the kangaroo (despite being cuter, in my opinion).
Wrapping Up
If you didn’t know the wombat before, now you do – and how can you not be charmed by these chunky and grumpy looking things?
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