What is the numbat related to?

Answer 1

There are numerous dangers for the numbat, a small, ground-dwelling marsupial of Western Australia.

One of the main dangers has been brought about by the introduction of non-native species to Australia. Introduced species such as foxes, and feral cats and dogs, pose a considerable threat to the numbat. It is a small, quite defenceless creature, only able to protect itself by hiding in hollow logs.

Another danger to the numbat is habitat loss. Their habitat has been cleared for industry, agriculture and expanding human habitation.

Bushfires and changed fire regimes also create huge dangers for the numbat. Bushfires destroy the numbats' habitat, including the logs in which it shelters. Numbats are not fast-moving creatures, and they cannot escape bushfires, which can move very quickly.

Answer 2

A numbat spends much of its time hiding from predators and seeking termites and ants in its habitat. It is a small, pouchless marsupial of Australia, found only in southwest Western Australia.

Numbats shelter in hollow logs and shallow burrows in bushland (eucalyptus woodland) with sufficient grassy undergrowth to give them nesting material for their burrows, and some protection from predators.

One of the few truly diurnal marsupials, numbats forage for food during the day. They feed almost exclusively on termites, although they will sometimes eat other types of ants. They have sharp claws for digging into termite mounds, although they prefer to dig out termites from under logs and underground, being able to detect them with their very sensitive noses. They have a sticky tongue for collecting the termites. A numbat eats as much as 20,000 termites a day.

Answer 3

The main enemies of the numbat are introduced species which prey on them, particularly cats, dogs and foxes.

Natural predators of the numbat include the Carpet Python, Little Eagle and other Birds of Prey.

Answer 4

The numbat is not closely related to any current, living species. It is considered to have been more closely related to the now-extinct Thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger.