What is a wombat?

Wombats are Australian marsupials known for their short legs, stout bodies, and powerful claws. They are excellent diggers and create extensive burrow systems called warrens. There are three species of wombat: the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus), the southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons), and the northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii). The common wombat is the most widespread species.

Wombats are primarily herbivores, feeding on grasses, roots, and bark. Their teeth are continuously growing to compensate for wear. They have a unique pouch that faces backward, preventing it from filling with dirt while digging. A defining feature of the wombat's%20anatomy is their cartilaginous plate in their rear, used as a defense mechanism to crush predators against the roof of their burrows. The conservation%20status of wombats varies; while common wombats are relatively abundant, the northern hairy-nosed wombat is critically endangered.