Vombatus ursinus (Shaw, 1800)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2015, Vombatidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 418-434 : 432-433

1.

Common Wombat

Vombatus ursinus

French: Wombat commun / German: Nacktnasenwombat / Spanish: U6 mbat

Other common names: Bare-nosed Wombat, Coarse-haired Wombat, Forest Wombat, Naked-nosed Wombat; Bass Strait Wombat, Flinders Island Wombat (ursinus), Tasmanian Wombat (tasmaniensis)

Taxonomy. Didelphis ursina Shaw, 1800 ,

“New Holland [= Australia].”

This species wasfirst discovered in Australia on Clarke Island in Bass Strait, a specimen brought to Sydneyin 1797 aboard the Francis that had rescued the crew ofthe Sydney Cove wrecked on the island. V. ursinus was later foundliving in the colony of New South Wales, where it was called “wombach” or “womat” by the Aborigines. The subsequent discovery ofvarious fossils such as those found in the Wellington Caves (named mitchellii by R. Owen in 1838) and species such as platyrhinus (also named by Owen in 1853), now considered a synonym of Airsutus, greatly confused the taxonomy. Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

V.u.wursinusShaw,1800—BassStraitIs(FlindersI).

V.u.hirsutusPerry,1810—mainlandSEAustralia.

V. u. tasmaniensis Spencer & Kershaw, 1910 — Tasmania.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 90-115 cm; weight 22-40 kg. Common Wombats tend to beslightly larger than hairy-nosed wombats ( Lasiorhinus ). Distinguishing features of the Common Wombat include a large nakedgranular rhinarium, thick coarse fur, and small rounded ears. They have 15 pairs ofribs compared to 13 pairs ofribs in hairy-nosed wombats, nasals are narrow, and postorbital process is greatly reduced. Their continuously erupting incisor teeth are ovoidor spatulate in section. Valley that bisects dilambodont cheek teeth is rounded rather than V-shaped. Palate is narrow and convergent anteriorly.

Habitat. Cool temperate forests, coastal scrubland, and heathland of south-eastern Australia including the Bass Strait Islands and Tasmania and in the northern part of their distribution in sclerophyll forest above elevations of 600 m. In Tasmania and on Flinders Island in Bass Strait, vegetation types include Allocasuarina littoralis (Casuarinaceae) forest, Banksia marginata ( Proteaceae ) wet scrub, Eucalyptus globulus ( Myrtaceae ) dry forest and woodland, E. ovata forest and woodland, E. viminalis-E, globulus coastal forest and woodland, E. viminalis forest and woodland, heathland on calcarenite, and heathland scrub.

Food and Feeding. Native grasses, sedges, and rushes are preferred foods of Common Wombats. Their dietary preferences vary with season and habitat. In forest areas, they tend to prefer high-fiber tussock grasses (e.g. Poa spp.), but in more open areas, they show a preference for kangaroo grass ( Themeda australis), wallaby grass ( Danthonia penicillata), and spear grasses ( Austrostipa spp.). Common Wombats also eat a wide variety of other grasses, matt rushes, and club rushes. At high elevations in winter, they dig through deep snow to access matt rushes, while on coastal sand dunes, they eat marram grass ( Ammophila arenaria) and hairy spinifex ( Spinifex hirsutus), all Poaceae . Wombats mainly feed from dusk to dawn, but they may feed during the day during cooler weather. Feeding areas are generally at some tens of meters from the immediate vicinity of the burrow. Individuals may range 1-2 km in a night's grazing.

Breeding. Common Wombats are essentially solitary. Males and females come together solely to mate. Females are polyestrous, and although they can breed at any time of the year, there are seasonal peaks in October—January. A single young is produced, makes its way to the pouch, and attaches to one of two teats. Pouch life lasts for ¢.10 months. Young Common Wombats may continue to suckle for c.15 months; they become sexually mature at 2-3 years old. Young adult males disperse; young adult females remain in general vicinity of the home burrow, and their mothers ultimately move on.

Activity patterns. Common Wombats are predominantly solitary, crepuscular, or nocturnal. Nevertheless, they can be active at any time of the day or night depending on the season and food availability.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Home ranges of male and female Common Wombats are similar at c.18 ha, with core areas of activity of ¢.3 ha. Individuals may use a burrow for 1-4 days before moving on, and two or more individuals may use the same burrows independently.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Bass Strait Wombatis listed as vulnerable in Australia. The population on Flinders Island was estimated at ¢.4000 individuals in 1996. Major threats come from land clearing, sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabieii), and road kills. The Tasmanian Wombatis relatively common, particularly in north-eastern part of the state. Major threats come from land clearing, sarcoptic mange, road kills, 1080 poisoning for European Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and indiscriminate shooting. The mainland Common Wombat has a wide distribution throughout south-eastern Australia. No estimates of overall population size are available. The population along the south-eastern coastal region of South Australia has diminished because of land clearing and agriculture. It is considered vermin in some parts of eastern Victoria and can be killed without a permit. It damages fences built acrossits track ways and undermines buildings and rainwater tanks by its burrowing. Culling permits are readily available. In recent times, a more enlightened attitude to wombat management has led to the development swing gates that allow free passage of wombats while excluding rabbits and domestic livestock. Mainland populations of Common Wombats are exposed to similar threats as their island cousins, namely habitat loss, disease, poisoning, and indiscriminate destruction. Fragmentation of habitat does not bode well for the long-term viability of populations of Common Wombats. Although currently considered Least Concern, assessments of changes in distribution and population size are ongoing research priorities.

Bibliography. Banks et al. (2002), Barboza (1995), Boer (1998), Borchard & Wright (2010), Buchan & Goldney (1998), Cooke (1998), Evans (2008), Evans, Green & Newgrain (2003), Ewans, MacGregor & Jarman (2006), Favreau et al. (2009), Finlayson (1961b), Green (2005), Green & Rainbird (1987), Hartley & English (2005), Hughes, M.A. & Hughes (2006), Hughes, R.L. & Green (1998), MacCallum (2005), MacCallum & Johnston (2005), Mallett & Cooke (1986), Marks (1991, 1998a, 1998b, 1998c), Matthews (2010), Matthews & Green (2012), McCoy (1868), Mcllroy (1973a, 1973b, 1983, 2008), Mcllroy & Rishworth (1998), Mcllroy et al. (1981), Milton et al. (1968), Moritz et al. (1998), NPWS (1974), Owen (1838, 1845, 1853, 1872), Pearse (1972), Peters & Rose (1979), Rishworth et al. (1995), Skerratt et al. (1998), Symon & Gilberson (1977), Taggart, Martin & Menkhorst (2008), Taylor (1993c), Treby (2005), Triggs (1996), Troughton (1946), West et al. (2004), Wilson et al. (1990), Winschmann (1970).

Figures

1. Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus), 2. Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons), 3. Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii)

Subspecies and Distribution. V.u.wursinusShaw,1800—BassStraitIs(FlindersI). V.u.hirsutusPerry,1810—mainlandSEAustralia. V. u. tasmaniensis Spencer & Kershaw, 1910 — Tasmania.