Appearance
Common wombats are sturdy and built close to the ground. When fully grown they can reach anywhere between 80 and 130cm, and between 17 and 40kg. The wombats found on Tasmania and Flinders Island are often smaller than their mainland counterparts. It is distinguished from both Hairy-nosed wombats by the fact that it has a bald nose.
Distribution
It is widespread in the cooler and better watered parts of southern and eastern Australia, including Tasmania, and in mountain districts as far north as the south of Queensland, but is declining in Western Victoria and South Australia.
Behavior
Common wombats are a solitary, territorial species, with each wombat having an established range in which it lives and feeds. In this area, they dig a tunnel system, with tunnels ranging anywhere from 2 to 20 metres in length, along with many sidetunnels. There is usually only one entrance to the burrow, although they may create a smaller one to escape with. Often nocturnal, the common wombat does come out during the day in cooler weather, such as in early morning or late afternoon.
Reproduction
The common wombat can breed every two years and produce a single joey. The gestation period is about 20-30 days, and the young remain in the pouch for 5 months. When leaving the pouch, they weigh between 3.5 and 6.5 kg . The joey is weaned at around 12 to 15 months of age and is usually independent at 18 months of age..
Food
Common wombats are herbivorous, subsisting off grass, snow tussocks and other plant materials. Foraging is usually done during the night.References:
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