The 'Common Wombat' (''Vombatus ursinus''), also known as the 'Coarse-haired Wombat', is one of three species of
wombat and the only one in the '''Vombatus''' genus. It is widespread in the cooler and better watered parts of southern and eastern
Australia, and in mountain districts as far north as the south of
Queensland, but is declining in Western
Victoria and
South Australia. The Common Wombat can breed every two years and produce a single joey, which leaves the backwards facing pouch after nine to eleven months (weighing between 3.5 and 6.5 kilograms). The joey is weaned at around 12 to 15 months of age and is usually independent at 18 months of age.
Bass Strait subspecies
The Bass Strait subspecies (''Vombatus ursinus ursinus'') is only found on
Flinders Island to the north of Tasmania. Its population was estimated at 4000 in 1996 and is listed as vulnerable by the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and
IUCN Red List.
[1][2]
References
1. http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=66644
2.