Wombat Mother and Baby

Wombat Mother and Baby

(Vombatidae)

Maria Island, Tasmania, Australia.

To be precise: Maria Island National Park. No access by car, pedestrians only. Famous rocks and lots of gum trees. And last but not least: the common wombat. There are also some not-so-common wombat-types in OZ but these are only in some very small areas on the main land. And in zoos. These two were wild.

Wombats are marsupials, and related to the Koala. They dig holes to hide and to eat tree roots. They also eat grass. They have, built into their posterior, a very hard cartilage shield which they use to block a tunnel and avoid becoming dinner for predators.

Their claim to fame is their poop. Their poop is square. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.

Sony ILCE-@7RM2, ISO 100 1/200thsec, Lens: FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS at f9.