Marsupial anteaters (or, as they are also called, "nambats" or "ants") are rare animals. They are small in stature - the size of a squirrel. Belong to the marsupial family. Today we have to get to know this amazing animal and learn a lot of interesting things about it.
Description of Nambat
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 achieved at the age of 11 months.
The coat of representatives of the marsupial anteater family is short, but thick and stiff. Color is gray, red with white hairs. 8 white stripes are drawn on the back. Regarding the body, the animals have a very long and fluffy tail. The elongated bony nose is adapted to dig the earth in search of food. A long sticky tongue is an excellent trap for your favorite termites.
The marsupial anteater leads a daily life, and after a hearty dinner she likes to sleep - soak up the sun. A very funny picture of watching him: lying on his back with outstretched legs and protruding tongue, he is blissful.
In extreme heat, it hides in the foliage or hollow of a tree. He has such a deep sleep that if you take him in his arms, he won’t even wake up. Being not so vigilant beast, he risks dying by negligence. This is especially true of forest fires, which are not so rare for its habitat. Slow nambats perish in the fire, not having time to wake up in time.
Marsupial animal habitat
And 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 preserved the areola of their habitat in the southwestern part of the mainland in eucalyptus, acacia forests and light forests.
This choice of terrain for the marsupial anteater is not accidental: eucalyptus leaves hit by termites are dumped to the ground. And this is for him food (in the form of termites) and shelter from the leaves of a tree. It can be seen running on the ground or moving in leaps. Periodically, he stands on his hind legs to look around for safety. If he sees a bird of prey in the sky, he will hasten to hide in shelter.
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
The marsupial anteater eats insects, its favorite food is termites or ants, large insects. Due to its acute sense of smell, it can find its food even underground or leaves. If necessary, she can resort to the help of her powerful claws to get through the wood to her treat.
Murasheed has a long tongue that can protrude up to 10 centimeters in length. The tongue, like Velcro, captures its prey. When catching on the tongue, small pebbles, earth or other objects may come across. He swallows all this several times in his mouth, then swallows it.
What is noteworthy, the teeth of the animal are small and weak. They have an asymmetric shape and can be of different lengths and even widths. Teeth about 50-52 pieces. A hard palate extends further than most mammals. But this feature is related to the length of his tongue.
Nambat population breeding
Marsupial anteaters lead a solitary lifestyle. But when the time comes for the mating season, the males set off in search of the female. This happens from December to April.
From January to May, very tiny centimeter young anteaters appear in the nest prepared by loving parents. In the litter from 2 to 4 babies. The female has no bag for the brood, so they hang on the nipples, holding tight to the mother’s coat. About 4 months this period lasts until they reach a size of 4-5 centimeters. All this time, the lactation period lasts, which ends 4 months after their birth.
From this time, the female can leave the 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 (early summer in Australia), the young generation begins an adult and independent life, leaving the parent mink.
Interesting facts about the marsupial anteater
- Murashed 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, then it will not show resistance, unlike other representatives of the animal world. But you will be honored with hissing, which will testify to his discontent and excited state.
- The tongue of the Australian marsupial has a cylindrical shape, which is uncharacteristic for mammals, and also a length of about 10 centimeters, 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. Waking him up is almost impossible.
- Among the mammals that live on land, this is the only representative with a huge number of teeth - 52 pieces. And this despite the fact that he almost does not use them, preferring to swallow food.
The status of the animal and its protection
Due to the fact that a large number of foxes, feral dogs and cats appeared in the habitat of the marsupial anteater, and flying predators do not lose their vigilance, the nambat population has declined sharply. This was especially due to the arrival of red foxes on the continent in the 19th century. At the end of the 70s of the last century, only about 1,000 individuals were found in southern Australia and the Northern Territory.
Also, the expansion of human agricultural activity has affected the disappearance of the marsupial anteater. Lumberjacks and farmers burned fallen dry branches, branches, and residues from felled trees. As a result, many sleeping goose-eaters in these branches and herbs were burned due to human negligence.
Currently, the population size is maintained artificially, which allows to increase and preserve these animals.
The life span 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 happened 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. Possessing information about his Red Book status, undoubtedly, it is worth treating this cute animal with attention and care. Saving the lives of Red Book animals is a priority for humanity.