Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat

Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat resting in the Australasia Pavilion.

A nice sighting opportunity with these nocturnal cuties often curled into a ball during daylight zoo visits.

We have a young male, Arthur, who is young so it seems like hes more active than our 31 year old male Hamlet. Cant say I blame good old Hamlet. He's the oldest Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat in North America so if he wants to sleep all day and all night I say let him. He's earned it. Let Arthur thrill the crowds.

I dont know if you have already seen it, Blackduiker, but Arcticwolf posted a fantastic up close shot of Arthur a little while back. He's being a ham for the camera. You will probably enjoy that shot.

Yeah, I was surprised to see this guy out. They're not usually out and about.

Every time I've been to the zoo this year I've seen the wombat walking around its exhibit. I always get tons of pictures of him but I've only put my best ones on zoochat. Also this year I've seen the echidna walking around its exhibit at least five times.

Out of all the times I've been there I have yet to seen the echidna.

That's surprising. I think I've only been to the zoo a few times without seeing the echidna. Normally I can't get a good picture of it because it's moving around to quickly! The only Australasian mammal that I have trouble seeing are the brush tailed bettongs, which I haven't seen the past few times I was at the zoo.

Huh. I've never seen the brush tailed bettongs either. I gotta pay attention next time I go.

I dont think I have ever successfully seen the echidna and Annie has been around since I was 1 so I've had countless opportunities.

I havent seen the bettongs either. But they are small and Im usually focused on the wombats or wallabies.

I do wonder at the fact that it is apparently so hard to obtain this species from Australia. This is a species that can be culled in Australia!