wombat

/ˌwɑmˈbæt/

/ˈwɒmbæt/

Other forms: wombats

The wombat is a fascinating Australian animal that resembles a small bear, but it isn’t actually a bear at all; it’s a marsupial, meaning it is more closely related to animals like koalas and kangaroos.

The wombat is primarily nocturnal, meaning mostly active at night. Using powerful claws, it digs maze-like burrows, spending long periods there. Wombats are herbivores, feasting mostly on grasses and roots. One of their most unique features is their cube-shaped waste matter, which they use to mark territory. Their sturdy build and slow metabolism help them conserve energy, making them well-adapted to their environment. Wombats are also known for their surprisingly fast speed when threatened.

Definitions of wombat

1. noun

   a burrowing, plant-eating marsupial of Australia, about the size of a badger
   type of:

   marsupial, pouched mammal

   mammals of which the females have a pouch (the marsupium) containing the teats where the young are fed and carried