4 replies to this topic

[Shane V]

The Common wombat is located throughout Tasmania from the coast to alpine areas. It prefers coastal areas, heathland and open forest because it is easier to dig their burrows in these places. The burrows can be as long as 30 metres.

The Tasmanian Common Wombat grows to about 85cm long and can weigh upto about 20 kg. They can range in colour from sandy to black and grey. Their lifespan is approximately 5 years in the wild. They are a mammal and a marsupial and mainly nocturnal.

Man is the worst enemy of the wombat. We destroy their habitat,hunt,poison and run them over. They don't have many animal enemies. When young they fall prey to eagles, owls, eastern quolls, feral cats and dogs and when the Tassie Tiger was alive them as well.

Another more menacing attacker is mites. They cause Sarcoptic mange which, if not treated, kills the animal slowly and painfully. Below is a wombat which we saw that had Mange. If you see a wombat like this repot it to National Parks as soon as possible, telling them where you saw it.

[tassiesim]

Thanks for the info Marge I saw this one in a paddock on the way to Mussleroe Bay, East Coast

Gosh that mangy one looks sad doesnt it , I hope they find a cure for it soon

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[Mystic]

Every time we go to Cradle Mountain NP we never fail to see these cute little creatures. Yesterday we saw at least a dozen of them at various points in our journey. Most of the ones we tried to photograph would allow us to get quite close without running away.

This one was found at the end of the enchanted forest track.

[zoidberg]

Do wombats live anywhere around the Huonville area?
I moved here a few months ago and there don't seem to be any wombats

[Shane V]

I'm not entirely sure of their full range zoidberg, but we have seen them on the coast and in the highlands. You may have to ask your local parks and wildlife people, they would know for sure.