Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
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Lasiorhinus krefftii
"Krefft's hairy-nose"

.. This is one of the very latest photos of the endangered
Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
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other names
Queensland Wombat, Queensland Hairy-Nosed Wombat or Moonie River Wombat

DESCRIPTION

Male: Head and body length - approximately 1020mm. Weight - approximately 40kg. Predominately grey-brown in colour, or grey mottled with fawn, brown or black. Distinguishable from Vombatus (Common Wombat) by silky hair, long ears and large fully furred square muzzle. Distinguishable from Lasiorhinus latifrons (Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat) by a broader, flatter muzzle).

Female: Head and body length - approximately 1070mm. Weight - approximately 32.5kg. Appearance as per male.

The Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat is Australia's most endangered animal - with only 115 individuals in a tiny section of Epping Forest National Park (scientific) in remote Queensland. Interestingly, the species was first described from a fossil skull that was found in the Wellington Caves area of New South Wales, in 1869. Before becoming locally extinct the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat was also found near Jerilderie in New South Wales and at two sites near St George in Queensland. Fossil remains have also been found in Victoria. The major decline of the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat it thought to have occurred during severe droughts and heavy grazing by stock which left little for the wombat. The habitat within Epping Forest is flat grassland and eucalypt woodland, with some patches of closed scrub on deep, sandy soil which is suitable for burrows. Burrows have from one to seven entrances and are distributed in loose clusters which may contain up to 20 burrows within a few hectares and can be occupied by up to ten wombats, however the wombats avoid close encounters with other wombats within the cluster and are usually solitary. The Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat lives in a harsh climate where the summers are long and hot with extended dry periods. It copes by spending most of its time underground, venturing above ground in the cooler times of the night. The wombat feeds mainly on perennial grasses and where ever possible, grazes close to the burrow. Females breed, on average, twice every three years. Most young are born in spring and summer and spend 10 or 11 months in the pouch.

For more information on the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat and to help save this endangered species please visit:

Save the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat - internal link
Would You Like to be a Caretaker of the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombats? - internal link
Wombat Foundation - external link
Wombat Protection Society of Australia - external link