Dweller Australian expanses wombat - the animal, immediately likable incredibly emotional mobile and muzzle shape, resembling a bear cub.This member of the family diprotodontia appeared on Earth almost 18 mln. Years ago and lived up to the present time, almost undergone any radical changes.Learn more about these unique herbivores.
Wombat: photo.The animal and its features
living on the southern and eastern Australia wombats are found in many states of the continent, where there is a suitable ground for burrowing.The closest relatives of marsupial bears - koalas, these animals are very similar to them, but their evolutionary lines diverged, according to scientists, long before the emergence of the form known today.
These cute "Bears" reach a length of 0.7 to 1.2 meters and weigh 20 to 40 kg.Nature elaborately staged their compact body, providing short and strong flat final, ending five fingers topped with strong claws adapted for digging holes.Complementing the description of undeveloped short tail, impressive head, producing the impression of a little flattened at the sides, and small eyes.
Types
uniqueness of these animals is emphasized and a few of their species.Wombat - Australian animal is not found anywhere else in the world.There are only four species of marsupial:
- Average, or large.Key features - a tough coat, short rounded ears and lack of hair on a small area of the muzzle.The jaws and teeth of this species are similar in structure to the rodents.In the center of the upper and the lower row is located on a pair of classic long incisors.
- Tasmanian.Kind of most thermophilic and rare, although I was quite common.It is found in Tasmania and Flinders Island.
- Shirokolobov.Also, a rare species that has spread only in South Australia.Exterminating of soft silky hair.
- Small wombat - species found in Queensland.
Lifestyle
marsupial wombat - the largest of mammals involved in digging burrows and underground conducting a significant part of life.Perhaps this is a way of life possible to preserve this unique population to date.
strong and sharp claws, they are able to dig in the ground complex moves, small caves and tunnels.Nora, who digs a wombat, like badger: ornate corridors of varying lengths (from 3 to 30 meters) are the premises used as housing wombat.There he arranges a cozy nest.
Wombat - the animal night.Activity increases with the onset of night, when he begins to search for food, moving quickly enough.Sometimes these amazing "Aussies" to develop high speed - up to 40 km / h, but only for short distances.Happy to see them is difficult because they are resting in their caves.
What to eat "Little Bear"?
Wombat - animal gourmet.It is legible and seeks out young tender shoots of grass, sweet roots of some plants, berries and mushrooms.The structure of the upper lip divided into two parts, wombats lets you choose just the food that they like, because the front teeth of the animal can freely reach the smallest sprout or root.Not the least role in finding food in the sense of smell plays a wombats.
These unique animals such as the incredible but effective metabolism.Digestion at wombat lasts 14 days.And the consumption of water, these "Australians" - the leader among mammals after the camel for the normal functioning of the body on average they just 0.5-0.7 liters of water per kg of body weight per day.
wombat Enemies and ways to protect the Australian
"bear" in nature is almost no natural enemies.The main opponents can be considered as a dingo and Tasmanian Devil.Nature took care of the protection of the wombat, creating a kind of armor from the back of the body, inventing an unusual combination of bone and cartilage covered with an extremely hard skin.Sensing danger, they turn around backwards, blocking the entrance to the hole, and successfully attack hitters.If intruder gets into the hole, wombat skillfully pushes him into the corner and seeks to stifle using the same protective "devices."He is able to hit out head, acting like a goat, that also leads to the escape or death of the victim.
Reproduction
wombats have no distinct periods for reproduction.This process can occur at any time and in any place.Wombat - monogamous animal.Mother touching concern for the young and leaves no worries about it, until it reaches sexual maturity - the age of two.Progeny up to 6-8 months in the mother's pouch, and exit "out" more than a year remains close to the mother.The life expectancy of this interesting animal in nature up to 15 years, individuals who are in captivity can live up to 25.
I must say that for Australians wombat (photo) - domestic animal almost as often lived close to the people, getting toThese various reasons, sometimes tragic.
