Numbat

The numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus), also known as the noombat or walpurti, is an insectivorous marsupial. It is diurnal and its diet consists almost exclusively of termites.

Numbat
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Dasyuromorphia
Family: Myrmecobiidae
Waterhouse, 1841
Genus: Myrmecobius
Waterhouse, 1836
Species:
M. fasciatus
Binomial name
Myrmecobius fasciatus
Waterhouse, 1836
Subspecies
  • M. fasciatus fasciatus
  • M. fasciatus rufus
Numbat range
(green – native, pink – reintroduced)

The species was once widespread across southern Australia, but is now restricted to several small colonies in Western Australia. It is therefore considered an endangered species and protected by conservation programs. Numbats were recently re-introduced to fenced reserves in South Australia and New South Wales. The numbat is the faunal emblem of Western Australia.

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