It has a backwards-facing pouch (to keep out dirt as it burrows) in which its newborn will stay until it is able to walk. Wombats have four incisor teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives. The wombat has unusual, cube-shaped dung.

Diet: These herbivores (plant-eaters) eat grass, leaves, bark, and roots.

Home: Wombats as everyone knows dig holes, big holes. Their burrows may extend up to 20 or 30m long. Shorter burrows (2 to 5m.) are made and used as well. They are usually made by digging into a hillside or creek slope. They are dug with the short flattened claws of the strong front legs. The back legs are used to pushed loose earth and rocks out of the way. The burrow is enlarged by lying on the side and scratching out the sides and roof. They occupy these burrows during the daytime usually alone, but sometimes shared with other individuals. Wombats may share burrows depending on ranges but usually at different times. An individual may visit up to four burrows per night. Any dog or fox insane enough to chase a wombat into its burrow risks being crushed to death between the wall of the burrow and 30kg or so of solid muscle.

Way of life: Wombats are rather like us, they breed anytime. Females have a rear opening pouch with two nipples although usually only one young is raised at a time.

A Wombat Junior will remain in the pouch for about six months before it is either kicked out or leaves peacefully. It will then follow its mother for nearly another year and plays (sometimes) biting games that must drive the mothers crazy.

Young wombats mature sexually at about two years and can expect to live at least 5 years or more. Wombats in captivity can live long lives of around twenty years.

Wombats are smart. They have a large brain and they know how to use it. They are frolicsome and will play with what seems like inexhaustible energy. They are also quite fast afoot, able to run at around 40 km/hr.

Enemies: An adult wombat has few natural enemies (if you look at the picture and see how big it is you understand why), the Dingo probably being the main predator. Humans and their cars account for many wombat deaths per year but where humans are scarce wombat numbers are limited by the availability of food. Wombats have a home territory which, depending on the environment may be anything from 5 to 25 hectares. Territories are marked and defended with scent markings, burrows and aggressive behavior. Male Wombats will go through a threat display if an unwelcome (wombat) visitor trespasses on a favoured feeding ground by swinging his head from side to side, showing and gnashing his teeth, and growling. This will often be sufficient to drive away a rival, but wombat fights can occur and considerable damage can result from powerful bites.