Wombats are heavily built, short-legged marsupials native to Australia. The three extant species measure about one meter in length and weigh between 20 and 35 kilograms. They are herbivorous, primarily nocturnal, and spend most of their time in extensive underground tunnel systems they excavate. While their stocky build and subterranean lifestyle offer protection, these large burrowers still face pressure from native and introduced predators.
The Wombat’s Main Natural Predators
The Dingo is the most significant natural predator of the wombat across the Australian mainland. These wild dogs possess the size and strength necessary to overcome an adult wombat. Conservation efforts, such as the construction of a 20-kilometer predator-proof fence around the critically endangered Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat population, highlight this predation pressure.
In Tasmania, where dingoes are absent, the Tasmanian Devil is the primary native threat. Devils are opportunistic carnivores that favor the high fat content of wombats, and their powerful jaws allow them to tackle individuals weighing up to 30 kilograms. However, devils often scavenge carrion or target sick, injured, or younger wombats, as a healthy adult is a difficult challenge. Large raptors, such as the Wedge-tailed Eagle, also pose a threat, particularly to younger or smaller wombats away from their burrows.
Defensive Adaptations
The wombat’s primary defense is its ability to burrow and use unique anatomical features to block the tunnel entrance. Their thick hide and powerful, short limbs allow them to rapidly retreat when a threat approaches. The common wombat possesses a robust defensive structure: a reinforced bony plate over its rear.
This structure is a cartilaginous shield supported by fused bone plates, which has a reduced number of nerve endings. When threatened inside a tunnel, the wombat blocks the entrance with its rear, creating a barrier difficult for a predator to penetrate. If an attacker wedges its head into the gap, the wombat can use its powerful hind legs to thrust upward, potentially crushing the predator against the tunnel roof.
Vulnerability of Young and Smaller Species
While adult wombats are formidable, juvenile wombats, known as joeys, are highly vulnerable until they become independent. Newly emerged young, which develop in the mother’s backward-facing pouch, are susceptible to smaller predators. Introduced predators like the Red Fox and the Feral Cat are a major cause of mortality for juvenile wombats.
These smaller carnivores can access joeys outside the burrow or opportunistically prey on them before they develop the full defensive capability of the adult rump shield. The smallest species, the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, also faces heightened risk due to its smaller size. Introduced species also spread diseases such as sarcoptic mange, a parasitic mite that severely weakens wombats and makes them more susceptible to predation.