Description

The numbat, up to 18 inches long, of which 7 inches is bushy tail, is reddish-yellow to chestnut-red with white bands around a stout body. Its muzzle is long and pointed and there is a black line running from the ear through the eyeline to the tip of the nose.

Although it is technically a marsupial, the numbat has no pouch. The female has four teats, surrounded by long crimped hairs. At first the babies merely cling to the teats with their mouths, but later they cling to the crimped hairs with their forefeet. When they grown to a certain size the mother digs a hole in the ground, in which she leaves them while she goes foraging.

Distribution and Habitat

The numbat once ranged from western New South Wales across south and central Australia to Western Australia, but is now restricted to southwest Australia. It makes its home in eucalyptus forests and other dry, open woodland where fallen, dead trees are present. These down trees are in turn hollowed out by termites, which are preyed upon by the numbat, which then makes its home in the hollowed out branches.

Diet

Termites make up 85% or more of a numbat's diet, with the remainder being ants and other insects. They get to their food by clawing through dead logs and using their highly specialized tongue to probe the galleries of termite colonies. Ants and other related insects are only taken when termites are not available.

Reproduction

Breeding takes place between December and April. The typical litter size is 2 to 4. The young stay with the mother for about 9 months.

Other Habits and Behaviors

Numbats are mainly active during the day. They spend the majority of their time searching for food. They are solitary and territorial.

Once inside a log, and asleep, the numbat refuses to budge. It points its head towards the closed end, tucks its tail under its body and closes the entrance with its broad rump, which is made up of solid muscle. It can also swell its body so it fits into the hollow like a cork.

Scientific Classification

phylum Chordata
subphylum Vertebrata
class Mammalia
order Dasyuromorphia
family Myrmecobiidae
genus & species Myrmecobius fasciatus

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