Marsupial anteaters (or, as they are also called, "nambats" or "anteaters") are rare animals. They are small in stature - the size of a squirrel. They belong to the marsupial family. Today we have to get to know this amazing animal better and learn a lot of interesting things about it.
Nambat description
The length of the animal is from 17 to 27 centimeters, and the tail has a length of 13 to 17 centimeters. Males are larger than females. The weight of one animal can range from 270 to 550 grams. Puberty is reached at 11 months of age.
The coat of representatives of the family of marsupial anteaters is short, but thick and hard. The color is gray, red with white hairs. There are 8 white stripes on the back. Relative to the body, the animals have a very long and fluffy tail. The elongated bony nose is adapted to dig the ground in search of food. And the long sticky tongue is an excellent trap for favorite termites.
Marsupial anteater leads a daytime lifestyle, and after a hearty meal likes to sleep - soak up the sun. A very funny picture of watching him: lying on his back withwith outstretched paws and sticking out tongue, he is blissful.
Hides in foliage or tree hollows in extreme heat. He has such a deep sleep that if you pick him up, he won't even wake up. Being a not so vigilant animal, he risks dying by negligence. This is especially true for forest fires, which are not so rare for its habitat. Slow nambats die in the fire, not having time to wake up in time.
Habitat of a marsupial animal
Where do marsupial anteaters live? We can answer this question below.
Until the end of the 18th century, the population was widespread in western and southern Australia. But after the European colonization of the mainland, these animals were significantly reduced in number. And many of them have preserved their habitat in the southwestern part of the mainland in eucalyptus, acacia forests and woodlands.
This choice of terrain for the marsupial anteater is not accidental: termite-affected eucalyptus leaves are dropped to the ground. And this is food for him (in the form of termites) and shelter from the leaves of a tree. It can be found running on the ground or moving by jumping. Periodically, he stands on his hind legs to look around for safety. If he sees a bird of prey in the sky, he will rush to take cover.
A photo of a marsupial anteater while checking the area for the presence of a predator helps to imagine what this animal looks like.
Animal Diet
Marsupial anteater feeds on insects, its favorite food is termites or ants, large insects. Thanks to its keen sense of smell, it can find its food even under the ground or leaves. If necessary, he can resort to the help of his powerful claws to get through the wood to his delicacy.
The ants have a long tongue that can protrude up to 10 centimeters in length. The tongue, like Velcro, captures its prey. When caught, small pebbles, earth or other objects may come across on the tongue. All this he rolls several times in his mouth, then swallows.
Remarkably, the animal's teeth are small and weak. They have an asymmetrical shape and can be of different lengths and even widths. Teeth about 50-52 pieces. The hard palate extends further than in most mammals. But this feature is related to the length of his tongue.
Reproduction of the nambat population
Marsupial anteaters are solitary. But when it's time for the mating season, the males set off in search of the female. This happens from December to April.
From January to May in the nest prepared by loving parents, very tiny centimeter cubs of anteaters are born. There are 2 to 4 babies in a litter. The female does not have a brood pouch, so they hang on their nipples, holding tightly to their mother's fur. This period lasts about 4 months until they reach a size of up to 4-5 centimeters. All this time the lactation period lasts, which ends 4 months aftertheir birth.
From now on, the female can leave her cubs alone in the hole. Upon reaching six months, small nambats can independently get their own food. But they continue to live in the territory with their mother. By December (the beginning of summer in Australia), the young generation begins an adult and independent life, leaving the parental mink.
Interesting facts about marsupial anteater
- Anteater is not only a rare Australian animal, but also unique. He is awake during the day and sleeps at night, which is not typical for marsupials.
- If you manage to catch the animal, it will not resist, unlike the rest of the animal world. But you will be rewarded with his hiss, which will indicate his displeasure and arousal.
- The tongue of the Australian marsupial is cylindrical, which is uncharacteristic of mammals, and about 10 centimeters long, which is almost half the length of the body.
- Marsupial anteater eats a record number of termites per day - 20,000 pieces.
- His sleep is so deep and strong that it can only be compared with suspended animation. It is almost impossible to wake him up.
- Among mammals living on land, this is the only representative with a huge number of teeth - 52 pieces. And this despite the fact that he almost never uses them, preferring to swallow food.
The status of the animal and its protection
Due to the fact that a large number of foxes appeared in the habitat of the marsupial anteater,feral dogs and cats, and flying predators do not lose their vigilance, the population of nambats has declined sharply. In particular, this was due to the importation of red foxes to the continent in the 19th century. In the late 1970s, there were only about 1,000 individuals in southern Australia and the Northern Territory.
Also, the expansion of human agricultural activities has affected the disappearance of the marsupial anteater. Lumberjacks and farmers burned fallen dry branches, branches, and the remains of felled trees. As a result, many sleeping anteaters in these branches and herbs were burned due to human negligence.
Currently, the population is maintained artificially, which allows increasing and preserving these animals.
The life expectancy of an animal reaches 4-6 years.
Nambat is an animal listed in the Red Book, has the status of "vulnerable", that is, on the verge of extinction.
In conclusion about the amazing animal
Today we had a chance to get acquainted with a unique animal from the continent of Australia - marsupial anteater. This is an interesting animal in terms of observation. It is incapable of aggression and self-defense. Having information about its status in the Red Book, it is undoubtedly worth treating this cute animal with attention and care. Saving the life of Red Book animals is a priority for mankind.
