What is a Numbat?

The numbat, Myrmecobius fasciatus is an Australian marsupial. Though originally called the banded anteater, the term has fallen into disuse as it is somewhat inaccurate. Numbats are listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), mostly due to habitat loss and an abundance of predators.

Full grown numbats are quite small, only 7.8 to 11.8 inches (20 to 30 cm) long. They weigh very little, usually between 1 and 2 pounds (450 to 900 grams). They vary in color from gray to reddish-brown, and are identifiable by a zebra-like horizontal stripe pattern across their backs.

Numbats have a breeding season between December and January each year. Gestation lasts only 14 days, and most numbats give birth to between four and six young. The mother carries the babies with her for about six months, leaving them in concealed burrows around July and occasionally returning to nurse them. After reaching maturity, the numbat is a solitary creature, joining others of its species only for mating purposes.

Despite their initial classification as anteaters, the numbat prefers a diet almost exclusively consisting of termites. Numbats are diurnal, remaining awake during the day when termites are active. Despite powerful claws for its size, the numbat is not strong enough to break the walls of termite mounds, and so must wait until the termites emerge. As hours of termite activity changes throughout the season, the numbat will change his hours to match. An adult numbat can consume 20,000 termites per day.

Numbats build small burrows, frequently in hollow logs or trees. They line their homes with soft plant material, mainly grass and flowers. These burrows are generally 3.3 to 6.6 ft. (1 to 2 m), and contain a chamber for sleeping. These burrows are safe retreats for numbats at night, and also can be used as shelter from predators.

Numbats are listed as a vulnerable species for several distinct reasons. The habitat of the spices extends throughout south-western Australia. They once occupied a considerably larger home range, but the spread of human agriculture destroyed much of their northern habitats. Wildfires are common throughout the habitat, unfortunately causing damage to this and many other species.

The greatest danger to numbats is the proliferation of non-native hunting species, such as house cats and foxes. Before European settlers arrived on the continent, Australia had few creatures that survived by hunting small rodent and marsupial animals. The importation of foxes for hunting and cats for pets has done tremendous and possibly irreversible damage to many native species, including the numbat.

Today, numbats exist in the wild only in a small area of Australia. Because of the increasing rarity of the animals, the Perth Zoo and Australian Department of Environment and Conservation have established a breeding program to repopulate the species. The Perth Zoo operates an adopt-a-numbat program that uses proceeds to fund the breeding program and habitat restoration for the animals.

A Numbat, also known as the banded anteater, is a small marsupial native to parts of Australia. It is notable for its distinctive striped coat, elongated snout, and long, sticky tongue, which it uses to feed on termites. Unlike most marsupials, numbats are diurnal and do not have a pouch. They are an endangered species, with conservation efforts in place to protect their dwindling numbers.

Numbats have a specialized diet consisting almost exclusively of termites. An adult Numbat requires up to 20,000 termites each day, which it finds using its acute sense of smell. Its long, sticky tongue allows it to collect termites from narrow crevices. This insectivorous diet is critical for their survival in the wild.

Numbats are endemic to Australia and were once widespread across the southern parts of the continent. However, their range has significantly reduced, and they are now primarily found in small, isolated populations in Western Australia. Conservation reserves and protected areas, such as the Dryandra Woodland and the Perup Nature Reserve, are crucial habitats for the remaining Numbat populations.

Numbats breed once a year, typically in the Australian summer. After a gestation period of about 14 days, the female gives birth to up to four young. Unlike other marsupials, numbats do not have a pouch; the young cling to the mother's belly, where they remain attached to the teats for several months before becoming independent.

Numbats are threatened by habitat loss, predation by introduced species like foxes and feral cats, and competition for food with other animals. Their reliance on a specific diet and habitat makes them particularly vulnerable. Conservation programs, including predator control and habitat restoration, are vital for their survival.

Conservation efforts for Numbats include breeding programs, habitat protection, and reintroduction projects. Organizations like the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and Perth Zoo are involved in breeding numbats for release into the wild. Predator control measures, such as fox baiting, have also been implemented to create safer environments for numbats to thrive.