Among the animal world of the Australian continent, there are such individuals that cannot be seen anywhere else. Animals from the order of two-incised marsupials are especially common in Australia and on neighboring islands. One of the amazing families of living things that live on the green continent are wombats.
The wombat, or marsupial bear, as it is sometimes called, lives in southern and eastern Australia and the island of Tasmania. Such a limited range is due to the fact that this animal, vaguely resembling a teddy bear, needs soil to dig holes. There are only 3 types of wombats left. They grow from 75 to 125 cm, and the weight of an adult male can reach up to 40 cm. The number of teeth is twelve, among them there are a pair of incisors at the top and bottom.
The body of wombats is compact, it is covered with thick fur, the head is rounded with small eyes and a wide type of nose. Feet are short but powerful, with long digging claws.
Burrows represent whole underground communications up to 30 m.
Wombats are only nocturnal, but vegetarians by the way they eat. They prefer mosses, mushrooms and other succulent vegetation. In search, they are guided by the sense of smell. Metabolism is slow and ingested food can be digested for up to 2 weeks. Water consumption is also extremely economical. It is enough for them to consume 22 ml of liquid.
Despite their thick skin, dense coat and a layer of adipose tissue, wombats do not tolerate cold weather well.
Wombats can breed all year round. However, this phenomenon is more often seasonal. As a rule, only one cub is born in a litter. The baby lives in the pouch of an adult for about 8 months, after that another year with a wet nurse.