WOMBAT, the typical representative of the marsupial family Phascolomyidae (see MARSUPIALIA). All the teeth are of con tinuous growth, having persistent pulps. The incisors are large and chisel-like, much as in rodents. The body is broad and de pressed, the neck short, the head large and flat, the eyes small, and the tail vestigial. The limbs are equal, stout and short. The feet have broad, naked soles; the forefeet with five toes, each with a long nail. The hind-feet have a short nailless first toe ; the second, third, and fourth toes partially united by skin, the fifth distinct and shorter ; these four with long nails. The wombat of Tasmania (P. ursinus) and the similar but larger P. platyrhinus of southern Australia belong to the typical group of the genus, with short ears, coarse fur, and naked muzzle. On the other hand, in the hairy-nosed wombat (P. latifrons) of South Australia, the
fur is silky, the ears more pointed, and the muzzle hairy.
In form and action wombats resemble small bears, having a similar shuffling walk, but they are shorter in the legs and have broader backs. They live on the ground, or in burrows or holes among rocks, and feed on grass, roots, and other vegetable sub stances. They sleep during the day but wander forth at night in search of food. They are shy and gentle, though they bite strongly when provoked. The prevailing colour is brownish grey. The large wombat of the mainland is variable in colour, some individuals being pale yellowish brown, others dark grey and some black. The length of the head and body is about 3ft. Fossil wombats, some of larger size than any now existing, have been found in the Pleistocene of Australia.