10 Interesting Wombat Facts, Including Their Surprising Butt Defense

Wombats are some of the most unique and fascinating creatures in Australia.

These chunky marsupials might seem like slow, cuddly animals, but they have some incredible traits that will blow your mind.

From cube-shaped poop to incredible speed, here are 10 awesome wombat facts that will turn you into a mega-fan of this remarkable animal!

1. They Poop in Cubes

One of the most bizarre facts about wombats is that their poop is cube-shaped.

Yes, you read that right—these little critters excrete poop that looks like it came straight out of an 80s toy set.

This cube shape isn’t just for show; it actually serves a purpose. The cubes don’t roll away, making it easier for wombats to mark their territory on rocks or logs.

Scientists believe this peculiar shape comes from the unique way their intestines contract.

Who knew poop could be so square and practical?

2. Their Butt Is Their Main Form of Defense

Wombats have another unusual but highly effective form of defense—their butts! When threatened, a wombat will dive headfirst into its burrow and block the entrance with its rear end.

The wombat’s backside is mostly made of cartilage, making it tough and resistant to bites and scratches.

If a predator tries to reach in, they might just get a nasty surprise. Wombats have been known to use their sturdy behinds to crush the skulls of attackers against the roof of their burrow.

Who knew having a big butt could be so life-saving?

3. Their Closest Relative Is the Koala

While you might guess that wombats are closely related to other burrowing mammals or creatures like guinea pigs, their closest living relative is actually the koala.

Both wombats and koalas belong to the marsupial family, and they share a unique feature: backward-facing pouches.

For wombats, this backward-facing pouch is particularly helpful because it prevents dirt from getting inside when they dig.

Despite their very different lifestyles—one being a tree-dweller and the other a digger—they share a surprising evolutionary connection.

4. There Are Three Species of Wombat

Not all wombats are created equal.

There are actually three distinct species: the Bare-nosed Wombat (Vombatus ursinus), the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons), and the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii).

The Bare-nosed Wombat, also known as the Common Wombat, is the most widespread.

The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat has a slightly more restricted range, while the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat is critically endangered, with only a few dozen individuals left in the wild.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect this rare species.

5. A Group of Wombats Is Called a “Wisdom”

We all know a group of kangaroos is called a “mob,” but did you know that a group of wombats is called a “wisdom”?

It’s one of those quirky collective nouns that make Australian wildlife so endearing.

Imagine stumbling upon a “wisdom of wombats” in the wild—it certainly adds a poetic touch to these earthy creatures!

6. The Heaviest Wombat Ever Weighed 38 kg

Wombats might look like small, plump creatures, but they can actually get quite hefty.

The heaviest recorded wombat was named Patrick, a Bare-nosed Wombat who lived at the Ballarat Wildlife Park in Australia.

Patrick weighed in at a whopping 38 kg (about 84 pounds) and lived to be 31 years old! That’s roughly the weight of four adult koalas combined.

Patrick became a bit of a local celebrity and was known for his friendly demeanor with visitors.

7. Wombats Can Run as Fast as a Human

Don’t be fooled by their stocky build—wombats can move surprisingly fast!

These marsupials can run at speeds of up to 40 km/h (25 mph), which is only about 7 km/h slower than Usain Bolt at his top speed.

Although they can’t maintain this speed for long, it’s enough to make a quick dash to safety if threatened.

Not bad for an animal that looks like it waddles!

8. Their Teeth Never Stop Growing

Just like rodents, wombats have teeth that never stop growing.

This continuous growth prevents their teeth from wearing down as they gnaw on tough vegetation like grasses, roots, shrubs, and bark.

Wombats have four large, chisel-like incisors that help them munch through their fibrous diet.

This adaptation ensures they can keep feeding throughout their lives without ever worrying about running out of teeth.

9. Their Digestive System Is Incredibly Slow

Wombats have one of the longest digestive processes of any mammal.

Their intestines can hold food for about 70 hours, which allows them to extract the maximum amount of nutrients from their fibrous diet.

On average, it takes a wombat between four to six days to fully digest a meal.

This slow digestion is also what contributes to the unique shape of their poop, as it allows for more water absorption and firmer stool.

10. Wombats Are the Second Largest Marsupials

The largest living marsupial is the Red Kangaroo, but wombats are the second largest.

Among wombats, the largest species is the Bare-nosed Wombat. However, if you go back in time, the largest marsupial ever was a creature called the Diprotodon, which roamed Australia during the Pleistocene epoch.

This giant, wombat-like animal could stand up to 2 meters tall and weighed over a ton.

While today’s wombats are much smaller, they are still quite robust for marsupials.