The 10 Fascinating Facts About Wombat Poop
The world of animals holds some fascinating secrets, and it turns out that among these secrets is that of wombat poop. Wouldn’t believe it? Read on to learn the 10 most interesting facts about wombat dung.
Fact #1: Wombats Have Cubed Poop
One of the most interesting – and fun – facts about wombat poop is that it comes out in cube-like shapes. While this may sound odd, the reason behind its shape is practical. The shape helps wombat scat stay put, making it easier for them to mark their territory.
Fact #2: Wombat Droppings Are Delicious to some Animals
You never know what will be found to have an odd deliciousness. For wombats, their droppings are not only preferred over other animals, but also attract other creatures. For instance, pigeons, gliders, and rats love wombat dung.
Fact #3: Wombat Droppings Can Be Used as a Weapon
If you think wombat poop is just a byproduct of their diet, think again. Wombats not only use their droppings to mark their territory; they also use it as a defense mechanism. When predator animals come near, wombats will spray their poop at them and run away.
Fact #4: Wombat Poo Is High in Nitrogen
The chemical makeup of wombat dung is highly beneficial to their environment. Wombats, like most animals, need nitrogen to survive, and their poop is full of it. On average, a wombat’s droppings contain 3-5% nitrogen, which is why their poops are so great for the environment.
Fact # 5: Wombat Droppings Are Easy to Identify
There are many types of poop, and this includes wombat dung. But unlike most poops, wombat droppings are rather easy to identify. Wombat poop has a black color and is shaped like a cube. It also smells different and has a more intense odor than other animal excrement.
Fact #6: Wombat Poo Is Full of Minerals
Wombats’ droppings are known to contain a wide range of minerals. Some of these minerals include magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, iron and copper – all important for the health of wombats and their environments.
Fact #7: Wombat Waste is Used as Fertilizer
Wombat dung not only benefits the environment with its high nitrogen content, but can also be used as a fertilizer. Farmers in Australia have started to use wombat poop as fertilizer and have seen great results. This makes it a win for both the farmers and the wombats!
Fact # 8: Wombat Poop Has a Long Lifespan
It may not sound like the most important fact, but wombat poops have an amazingly long lifespan. While most poops naturally decompose within days, wombat droppings remain intact for around two years in their environment.
Fact # 9: Wombats Drop Their Poop in the Same Place
Wombats don’t believe in the concept of out of sight, out of mind. In fact, they tend to do the exact opposite. Wombats prefer to drop their droppings in the same place. This is why they use their poop to mark their territory instead of urine like most other animals.
Fact #10: Wombat Poop Holds the Key to Their Survival
While we might think of wombat poop as something negligible, it actually holds the key to their survival. As mentioned before, wombat poops are full of minerals, making them crucial for the wombat’s health, metabolism and reproductive functions.
Wombat poop may not be the most pleasant thing to think about, but there’s no denying the fact that it’s fascinating. Its shape, composition, and usage all make it a unique feature in the world of animals. Whether as a weapon of defense, or as a source of minerals and nutrition, wombat poops are an integral part of their survival.
