The Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) is a very common mammal within The Cape with many sightings on the fringes of the Bunurong Coastal Reserve and adjoining open grassy spaces. They are particularly active in the South West Sector (especially near F Break), the Central Wetland Complex and South East Sector.

The best time to see a wombat is at dusk when they emerge from their burrows to feed on herbs and roots but you may be lucky to see them during the day if they are catching some sun to warm up. They often follow well developed “wombat tracks” through thick vegetation. They are very stocky animals with powerful short limbs and can reach amazingly fast speeds when on the run. My experience is they are also very active around the full moon.

There are many large burrows within The Cape – the entrances are usually well hidden by vegetation such as bracken and coastal wattle.

Females give birth to a single young, mainly in winter/spring, but can give birth all year round. The young is “housed” within a pouch at the “rear-end” of the adult female.

Wombats also have the unusual practice of defecating on an object such as a stick or rock, and then scratch either side of the scats (droppings). Wombats are quite susceptible to mange.