Lasiorhinus latifrons
TAXONOMY
Phascolomys latifrons (Owen, 1845), South Australia, Australia.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
None known.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Head and body length 30–37 in (77–94 cm); weight 42–70 lb (19–32 kg); tail and height similar to common wombat. Coat is fine, gray to brown, with lighter patches; hairy muzzle, longer pointed ears.
DISTRIBUTION
Central southern Australia.
HABITAT
Semi-arid and arid woodlands, grasslands, and shrub steppes.
BEHAVIOR
Solitary while feeding, but in many areas warrens are large and complex and used by five to ten individuals. Warrens may be connected by well-used trails, which are marked at intervals by urine splashed and dung piles. Usually nocturnal, but animals may often be seen basking outside their burrows on sunny days in winter.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds on grasses, but also eats forbs and foliage of woody shrubs during drought.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
A single young is born in spring or early summer and remains in the pouch for six to nine months. Weaning occurs at approximately one year, and sexual maturity at three years. Mating system is not known.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened. Range has declined by 10–50%, but the species remains common through much of its original range.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
In some areas it damages grain crops and fences and is controlled as a pest.
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