What Makes Wombat Feces Cube-Shaped?

Quck answer

Wombat scat is shaped like a cube due to the unique structure of their intestines. Wombats have a slow digestive system, which allows them to extract all possible nutrients from their food. As a result, their feces becomes dry and compacted, and their intestines have square-shaped segments that form the cubed shape. This shape also helps the wombats mark their territory by stacking their scat, making it more visible to other wombats. The cube shape also prevents the feces from rolling away on sloping surfaces. The discovery of the reason behind wombat scat’s unique shape can potentially lead to advancements in the fields of engineering and manufacturing.

Wild Animals

All About Wombat Droppings

Belonging to the Vombatidae family, wombats come in three species: common, southern hairy-nosed, and northern hairy-nosed wombats. These Australian natives are not related to the bats that fly at night, but they resemble oversized prairie dogs in the Great Plains of the United States.

Wombats, like koalas and kangaroos, are marsupials. Female wombats carry and nurse their young in pouches located at the rear of their bodies. The pouch’s orientation keeps it free of dirt while the wombat digs. Wombats are sizable animals, weighing up to 88 pounds (40 kilograms) and measuring up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length. They can sprint up to 25 mph (40 kph) when necessary [source: Animal Planet].

As nocturnal creatures, wombats forage for grass, roots, and bark at night. They may sleep up to 16 hours a day, rivaling the reputation of sloths. The herbivorous diet of wombats requires them to conserve energy; thus, they have a low metabolism when sleeping, dropping to two-thirds of its normal rate [source: Animal Planet].

Wombats are the world’s largest burrowing mammals, dwarfing even petite prairie dogs. They spend most of the day underground, away from the sun, using their front claws to dig burrows. Wombats may dig out up to 30 underground warrens, interconnected burrows. Southern hairy-nosed wombats share space within warrens, but they won’t occupy the same burrow. Wombats are highly territorial and prefer spending most of their time alone, except during mating season.

Wombat droppings serve as natural markers to prevent confrontation and promote mating. Wombats leave their cube-shaped feces as territorial signposts on the tops of rocks and logs. The flat sides of the cubes keep the droppings in place on their precarious locations. If wombat poop was rounded, like that of koalas, it would probably roll off its intended drop point. Wombats can produce between 80 and 100 pellets per day, and stray scats could lead to a lot of disgruntled wombats [source: Wombat Protection Society].

Poop serves a purpose in the wild, but it’s unpleasant when it ends up in your home. Northern hairy-nosed wombats are among the most endangered animal species globally, losing much of their natural habitat to development. The Epping Forest National Park near Queensland is a conservation area for the only remaining population of northern hairy-nosed wombats. The species population has increased from 35 to more than 110 due to conservation efforts [source: Australia Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts].

Related Articles

• Have you ever wondered why kangaroos hop?
• Is it true that koalas smell like cough drops?
• What distinguishes a kangaroo from a wallaby?
• How does pet housebreaking work?
• What is the mechanism behind the functioning of toilets?
• What is the reason for sloths being so slow?

More Great Links

• Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts: Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat
• Animal Planet: Tour a Wombat
• National Geographic: Common Wombat

Sources

• Barnes, Michele. “Husbandry Manual for the Common Wombat.” Australian Wildlife Experience. May 2005. (Oct. 2, 2008)http://www.fourthcrossingwildlife.com/CommonWombatHusbandryManual-MicheleBarnes.pdf
• Hairston, Nelson G. “Vertebrate Zoology.” CUP Archive. 1994. (Oct. 2, 2008)http://books.google.com/books?id=gqM8AAAAIAAJ
• McDougall, Len. “The Encyclopedia of Tracks and Scat.” Globe Pequot. 2004. (Oct. 2, 2008)http://books.google.com/books?id=9XOc2_u7z6cC
• Nowak, Robert M. and Walker, Ernest Pillsbury. “Walker’s Mammals of the World.” JHU Press. 1999. (Oct. 2, 2008)http://books.google.com/books?id=T37sFCl43E8C
• “Wombats.” Animal Planet. (Oct. 2, 2008)http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/crochunter/australiazoo/09wombats.html
• “Wombat Myths.” Wombat Protection Society of Australia Ltd. (Oct. 2, 2008) http://www.wombatprotection.org.au/wombat_protection_society_myths.htm

FAQ

1. What is wombat scat?

Wombat scat, or excrement, is the waste product produced by wombats. It is a type of feces that is unique in shape and size, as it is cube-shaped.

2. Why is wombat scat cube-shaped?

Scientists have long been puzzled by the cube shape of wombat scat. Recent research has revealed that it is due to the slow digestion process of the wombat, which causes the feces to dry out in the intestines and form into cubes. The unique shape helps the wombat mark its territory more effectively.

3. Do all wombats have cube-shaped scat?

Yes, all wombats produce cube-shaped scat. However, the size and shape of the scat may vary slightly depending on the species of wombat.

4. Is wombat scat harmful to humans?

No, wombat scat is not harmful to humans. However, it is important to avoid handling or coming into contact with any animal feces to prevent the spread of bacteria or disease.

5. Can wombat scat be used as fertilizer?

Yes, wombat scat can be used as a natural fertilizer due to its high nutrient content. However, it is important to properly compost the scat before using it to avoid the risk of contamination.

6. Do wombats eat their own scat?

No, wombats do not eat their own scat. However, they may sniff and lick it as a way of gathering information about their environment and other wombats in the area.

7. How often do wombats produce scat?

Wombats produce scat several times a day, depending on their diet and activity level. They may also use their scat to mark their territory and communicate with other wombats.

8. Can the cube shape of wombat scat change?

While the cube shape of wombat scat is thought to be a permanent characteristic, there may be slight variations in size and shape depending on the individual wombat’s digestive system and diet.

9. Are there any other animals that produce cube-shaped feces?

No, wombats are the only known animal to produce cube-shaped feces. However, some species of termites are known to produce rectangular-shaped feces.

10. How can the study of wombat scat help us understand the environment?

The study of wombat scat can provide valuable insights into the ecosystem and biodiversity of an area. By analyzing the scat, scientists can determine the diet and health of the wombat population, as well as the presence of other animals in the area.