Field Observations of the Hairy-Nosed Wombat, Lasiorhinus Latifrons (Owen).

Abstract

Hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latrifrons) were observed intermittently for 3 years in South Australia. They were nocturnal grazers. Of 25 females caught in 1971, 7 had pouch young, newborn between October and December; in 1970 of 28 females 1 had pouch young and that was in February. Two adults had pouch young in December and again in April; the April young were fully haired, had open eyes and bodyweight 450 g. Juveniles were seen from July and though still sucking, 4 captured juveniles had worn teeth, suggesting that they had begun to graze. Their average bodyweight was 2 kg. Bodyweight of females with pouch young was on average 23.71 kg, minimum 18.75 kg. Pouch life was about 6 or 7 months and weaning at 8 or 9 months old.