What do they look like?
Wombats grow to about 1.3 metres in length, and can weigh up to 36 kilograms. 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.
There are 3 species of wombat, two of which occur in New South Wales (NSW):
- The bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus) is the most common and widespread wombat species in NSW, and has a large, naked snout covered in grainy skin.
- The much rarer southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) has larger ears than the common wombat, and its snout is coated with fine hairs. Until recently, the southern hairy-nosed wombat was thought to be extinct in NSW. They are currently listed as endangered.
- The northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) is presumed extinct in NSW.