Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
Lasiorhinus krefftii
Background Information
The Northern hairy-nosed wombat is the rarest Australian marsupial, and the world's rarest large mammal. It is found in Queensland, Australia.
Habitat:
-flat, semi-arid grasslands or woodlands.
-harsh and hot climate
-Prefer sandy soils to burrow in
Diet:
-Main food is native grasses (black speargrass, bottle washer grasses, golden beard grass, and three-awned grass) plus introduced buffel grass.
-Do not drink much and get moisture from food.
-Low metabolism rate
Size:
-40 inches tall , with a tail of 2 inches.
-55 to 80 lbs.
Threats and Causes
The northern hairy nosed wombat population only totals (approx.) 113. Due to the small population, some threats and causes of endangerment are:
Low Population
Disease
Drought
Dingo Predation
Bushfire
Also the introduction of non-native grasses has become a threat because it is not easy for wombats to travel through other grasses.
Conservation Efforts
Recovery plan for the Northern hairy-nosed wombat Lasiorhinus krefftii 2004–2008.
-Communication and community involvement; increasing the current population’ establishing other wild populations within its historic range and cooperating with zoos to establish a captive husbandry program.
Volunteer Caretakers
DNA Identification of Wombat Hairs
It really just needs time to help build up a bigger population.