SNIFF, the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat at Kyabram Fauna Park, has encountered a novel challenge: a massive hay ball packed with his daily sustenance.
Mammal keeper Jessica Lyne said offering food in this way is mentally stimulating and supports physical activity for a healthy wombat lifestyle.
“Sniff will push the ball around his habitat, finding the easiest food to grab first then spend more time looking for the rest of the food,” Ms Lyne said.
“He uses his head to push the hay ball around, however sometimes he will use his bum which is interesting to see. After that he takes a midday nap and then goes back to the ball for afternoon zoomies.”
The hay ball contains a mix of Sniff’s favourite treats—corn, sweet potato, and tough native grasses—essential for grinding down his teeth. Wombat teeth are open rooted which means they grow continuously throughout their lifetime.
While Sniff enjoys his daily routine, his species, the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, faces significant threats such as habitat destruction and disease, leading to its classification as Near Threatened.
Despite the challenges, Sniff and his kind play a crucial ecological role as nocturnal herbivores and skilled diggers, aiding in nutrient distribution and seed dispersal. Visitors to Kyabram Fauna Park have the opportunity to observe Sniff near the finch aviary, particularly during the morning or late afternoon when he often retreats to his den for a peaceful slumber.
