Wombats are herbivores, and their diet is mainly plant-based, focusing on grasses, with a wider variety of vegetation when grasses are scarce. Here’s a concise overview of what they typically eat, along with some notes on variation by species and conditions. Core diet
- Grasses: The primary staple for most wombat species, including common bare-nosed wombats. They especially favor perennial grasses and native grasses like tussocky and spear grasses.
- Forbs and dicots: When grasses are less available, wombats will eat a broader mix of herbaceous plants.
- Roots: They may dig for grass and shrub roots, particularly during droughts or when surface forage is limited.
- Shrubs, bark, and moss: Occasional items in their diet, especially in tougher or drier conditions; moss can be a notable seasonal component for some populations.
- Fungi: Some records mention mushrooms and puffballs as occasional foods.
Species- and region-related variations
- Bare-nosed/Common wombat: Primarily grasses and grasses’ roots; may forage along seashores and even eat farm vegetables when available.
- Southern hairy-nosed wombat: Strongly grass-based diet, with a shift to bluebush, bindyi, and other forage during droughts.
- Northern hairy-nosed wombat: Preference for spear grass, tussock grass, and poa grass; otherwise a mix of grasses and herbaceous plants.
Seasonal and environmental influences
- In droughts or when grasses are scarce, wombats broaden their diet to include roots, forbs, and other available vegetation.
- Wombats have a low metabolic rate and a highly efficient digestive system, which helps them extract nutrients from fibrous plant material.
Notes
- Wombats do not eat insects, meat, or typical animal-derived foods; their feeding is strictly herbivorous.
- Individual foraging ranges can be several kilometers per night, and food availability strongly shapes daily diet composition.
