northern hairy-nosed wombat behaviours
Burrowing:
Regardless of their small size, the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, amongst other wombat species, are extremely strong and highly efficient excavators with only loose sand or solid rock restricting their digging capacity (Fox & Fox 2005). Considering this animal is completely terrestrial, they use their strong forelimbs and flattened front claws to dig burrows in which this nocturnal animal resides during the day. Using their front claws to dig and their hindlimbs to push the loose soil behind them, the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat can dig out several feet of a tunnel within a single night (Jackson 2003). An average full length wombat burrow can be as long as 20 metres and generally has multiple side tunnels, sleeping burrows and additional entry points. However, a wombat may dig a burrow for various purposes, for example, a wombat may quickly dig a burrow up to 2 metres long in order to escape or hide from a predator or threat; alternatively, a burrow double this length may be dug for a short rest or refuge (Koala Express 2001).
Regardless of their small size, the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, amongst other wombat species, are extremely strong and highly efficient excavators with only loose sand or solid rock restricting their digging capacity (Fox & Fox 2005). Considering this animal is completely terrestrial, they use their strong forelimbs and flattened front claws to dig burrows in which this nocturnal animal resides during the day. Using their front claws to dig and their hindlimbs to push the loose soil behind them, the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat can dig out several feet of a tunnel within a single night (Jackson 2003). An average full length wombat burrow can be as long as 20 metres and generally has multiple side tunnels, sleeping burrows and additional entry points. However, a wombat may dig a burrow for various purposes, for example, a wombat may quickly dig a burrow up to 2 metres long in order to escape or hide from a predator or threat; alternatively, a burrow double this length may be dug for a short rest or refuge (Koala Express 2001).
Pictured to the left is the hindfoot of the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat. The five digits and syndactyly (fusing of the second and third digits) can be seen, as well as the thick pad on the sole of the foot (Watts 2013).
Behavioural Thermoregulation:
The Northern Hairy-nose Wombat can be found in dry and grassy regions of Australia and usually they dig their burrows close to trees which provide shade and structural support from the roots. It also uses its burrow to control its body temperature throughout different times of the year and may sleep for up to 16 hours per day to conserve energy. Considering temperatures underground are less variable, the wombats’ burrow controls the carbon dioxide, oxygen and temperature levels and allows the wombat to stay cool in Summer and warmer in Winter. In the warmer months, the wombat will predominantly stay in the burrow during the day to avoid the heat of the sun and, by doing so it can conserve energy and lower its metabolism. Also, the wombat is able to efficiently conserve water due to the humid air in the burrow (Jackson 2003). Throughout the cooler months, the burrow will predominantly stay above 4°C. During this period, the wombat will remain outside throughout the day to graze and/or sun themselves. As well as this, the wombat will usually dig out a shallow depression towards the entrance of the burrow to use as a rest or bask spot (Fox & Fox 2005).
The Northern Hairy-nose Wombat can be found in dry and grassy regions of Australia and usually they dig their burrows close to trees which provide shade and structural support from the roots. It also uses its burrow to control its body temperature throughout different times of the year and may sleep for up to 16 hours per day to conserve energy. Considering temperatures underground are less variable, the wombats’ burrow controls the carbon dioxide, oxygen and temperature levels and allows the wombat to stay cool in Summer and warmer in Winter. In the warmer months, the wombat will predominantly stay in the burrow during the day to avoid the heat of the sun and, by doing so it can conserve energy and lower its metabolism. Also, the wombat is able to efficiently conserve water due to the humid air in the burrow (Jackson 2003). Throughout the cooler months, the burrow will predominantly stay above 4°C. During this period, the wombat will remain outside throughout the day to graze and/or sun themselves. As well as this, the wombat will usually dig out a shallow depression towards the entrance of the burrow to use as a rest or bask spot (Fox & Fox 2005).
Colonies:
The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat lives in large colonies that consist of complex systems of interconnected burrows with many of these burrows often joining together to make a central crater or warren in the centre. (Marinacci 2003). There is predominantly only one wombat living in a single burrow and most individuals seem to spend a lot of their time alone, however, burrows may house family groups or pairs of wombats. Furthermore, it is estimated that for the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, there are an average of 8 individuals living in each warren (Marinacci 2003). Wombats are territorial with their feeding areas and may dispute over the use of a burrow (MacCallum 2003).
The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat lives in large colonies that consist of complex systems of interconnected burrows with many of these burrows often joining together to make a central crater or warren in the centre. (Marinacci 2003). There is predominantly only one wombat living in a single burrow and most individuals seem to spend a lot of their time alone, however, burrows may house family groups or pairs of wombats. Furthermore, it is estimated that for the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, there are an average of 8 individuals living in each warren (Marinacci 2003). Wombats are territorial with their feeding areas and may dispute over the use of a burrow (MacCallum 2003).
The image to the left shows recent wombat prints, as well as multiple interconnecting tracks between burrows at Epping Forest National Park (Horsup 2008).
Pictured to the right is a map of one of the many Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat burrows at Epping Forest National Park (Horsup 2008).
References:
Fox, M & Fox, O 2005, ‘Discovering Australia’s Fragile Wildlife’, Curriculum Corporation, Victoria.
Horsup A.B & Johnson, C.N. 2008, 'Northern hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus krefftii', In Van Dyck. S. & Strahan, R. (ed.s), The Mammals of Australia. Reed New Holland.
Jackson, S 2003, ‘Australian Mammals: Biology and Captive Management’, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
Koala Express 2001, ‘Wombat Facts’, viewed 12 October 2013,
http://www.koalaexpress.com.au/wombat.htm
MacCallum, C 2003, ‘Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) Husbandry Manual’, Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.
Marinacci, P 2003, ‘Wombat Burrows’, viewed 12 October 2013,
http://www.wombania.com/wombats/wombat-burrows.htm
Watts, D 2013, 'Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii)', viewed 12 October 2013,
http://www.arkive.org/northern-hairy-nosed-wombat/lasiorhinus-krefftii/image-G109595.html
Fox, M & Fox, O 2005, ‘Discovering Australia’s Fragile Wildlife’, Curriculum Corporation, Victoria.
Horsup A.B & Johnson, C.N. 2008, 'Northern hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus krefftii', In Van Dyck. S. & Strahan, R. (ed.s), The Mammals of Australia. Reed New Holland.
Jackson, S 2003, ‘Australian Mammals: Biology and Captive Management’, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
Koala Express 2001, ‘Wombat Facts’, viewed 12 October 2013,
http://www.koalaexpress.com.au/wombat.htm
MacCallum, C 2003, ‘Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) Husbandry Manual’, Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.
Marinacci, P 2003, ‘Wombat Burrows’, viewed 12 October 2013,
http://www.wombania.com/wombats/wombat-burrows.htm
Watts, D 2013, 'Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii)', viewed 12 October 2013,
http://www.arkive.org/northern-hairy-nosed-wombat/lasiorhinus-krefftii/image-G109595.html