What do wombats look like?
Wombats are stout, sturdy marsupials. They grow to about 1.3 metres in length, and can weigh up to 36 kg. They have a large, blunt head with small eyes and ears, and a short, muscular neck. Their sharp claws and stubby, powerful legs make them great diggers. Wombats have been known to live for up to 27 years in captivity. Two of the three species of wombat occur in NSW: • The common wombat, most widespread of the two, has a large, naked snout covered in grainy skin. • The much rarer southern hairy-nosed wombat has larger ears than the common wombat, and its snout is coated with fine hairs. The northern hairy-nosed wombat is presumed extinct in NSW.Where do they live? The common wombat lives mainly in wet, partly forested areas on the coast, and on the ranges and western slopes. The southern hairy-nosed wombat prefers dry, open country. Southern hairy-nosed wombats are very rare, and until recently were thought to be extinct in NSW. They are currently listed as endangered.What do they e
