Wombats are relations Vombatidae, primarily probably the most well-known of which is the bare-nosed wombat (additionally known as the widespread wombat). Wombats truly do use their bottoms as a defence mechanism—after they’re threatened, their backsides’ 4 fused plates surrounded by fat, pores and pores and skin, cartilage, and fur could be utilized to dam the doorway to their burrows. Their droppings are distinctively cube-shaped, which stops them from rolling away—this lets them mark their territories.  

There are three species of wombat. The bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus) is native to Tasmania and southeastern Australia, and its species is classed as least concern. The southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is found primarily in southern Australia and is assessed as near threatened. However, the northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) is recognised as critically endangered by the IUCN and the Australian authorities. Solely 315 remaining individuals dwell in two small, protected areas of Queensland, with a model new web site rapidly to be established. Wombats are threatened by a sickness known as mange, agricultural actions, droughts, flooding, and fires. 

7. Flying foxes/fruit bats 

Chosen by: Wildlife Campaigns Supervisor Josey Sharrad 
Why: Flying foxes and bats get a foul rap, nonetheless they’re extraordinarily misunderstood. We have them to thank for lots of our daily lives. They’re super-pollinators, flying huge distances to feed and disperse seeds. Most of our timber are relying on them, having co-evolved with them over 1000’s and 1000’s of years. So many animals, along with the beloved koala, would not exist with out them. With out bats, we moreover wouldn’t have so many types of fruit—and chocolate, as they pollinate cacao! 

Flying foxes and fruit bats are two names for the members of the genus Pteropus, which might be native to Australia together with East Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. There are over 60 residing species in complete, 19 of which might be endangered or critically endangered. A lot of these bats face threats on account of human development and agriculture, along with barbed wire and netting, invasive species and sickness, and native climate change. 

8. Mountain pygmy possums 

Chosen by: Regional Director Rebecca Keeble 
Why: The mountain pygmy possum is the one hibernating marsupial and Australia’s solely mammal that has tailor-made to dwell solely inside the snow-covered alpine areas of Victoria and New South Wales. 

The mountain pygmy possum (Burramys parvus) is mouse-sized and greyish brown, save for its white abdomen and furless tail and hand-like toes. Sadly, it is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN and endangered by the Australian authorities on account of destruction and fragmentation of its habitat, native climate change, predation by foxes and feral cats, and principal declines of their principal meals provide—the bogong moth. 

9. Sugar gliders  

Chosen by: Office Administrator Belinda Bennett-Gow 
Why: They’re like cute little superheroes with a built-in cape, they often’re my spirit animal with their sweet tooth.