Source and Additional Information

Animal Diversity Web
 
Amber S. Watson
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The common wombat is mainly a solitary animal, except during the breeding season. Individual wombats live in a series of burrows called warrens. There are generally three types of burrows: minor, medium and major. The minor burrows, usually up to 2m long, are made by the common wombat in an effort to quickly escape unfavorable conditions. The medium burrows (2 to 5m long) are mainly used for refuge, but eventually they develop into major burrows, which contain more than one sleeping chamber and several entrances.

Generally, only one wombat is found per burrow, and observations of wombats kept in captivity indicate that keeping more than one individual in an enclosure often results in fighting and injury. While the common wombat is generally an unsocial animal, in captivity compatible individuals have sometimes successfully been kept together. An obersvation of a wild poulation in Victoria in the 1970's recorded that while only one wombat was found per burrow, individuals were sociable and would visit each other's burrows.

The common wombat is usually nocturnal, especially during warmer seasons, and emerges above ground at night when the air is cool. Some have been seen emerging during the daylight to bask or feed during the winter or other cooler periods.

Their home range varies according to feeding areas, and individuals maintain separate feeding areas through scent-marking, vocalization, and aggressive behavior. The common wombat is extremely sensitive to touch, especially near the hindquarters; touching them causes them to kick backward with both hind feet. When annoyed, they make a hissing growl.

Nowak (1983), Angus and Robertson (1983), Macdonald (1984)