The NumbatThe NumbatMyrmecobius fasciatus

TaxonomyTaxonomy• Kingdom – animalia• Phylum – chordata• Class – mammalia (marsupial)• Order – dasyuromorphia• Family – myrmecobiidae• Related to = quolls, dunnarts, tasmanian devil

Distribution/habitatDistribution/habitat• Western Australia• Two natural populations

o Dryandrao Perup Nature reserve

• Arid to semi-arid woodlands• Fallen trees and shrubs

Just the facts…Just the facts…• Carnivorous marsupial

o insectivore

• Lifespan around 5 years• 14 day gestation

o Undeveloped youngo Attached to mother ~ 9 monthso No true pouch

• Small – 27cm• Thin, sticky tongue• Blunt ‘pegs’ rather than teeth• Camouflaged by striping

More facts….mateMore facts….mate• Feeds on termites, up to 20000 a day

o Dig in ground and use tongue

• Do not drink watero Comes from termites

• Diurnalo Vulnerable to predatorso Sit up like meerkatso freeze when danger

• Solitary o Only together to mateo Territorial

IUCN Redlist = IUCN Redlist = Endangered (2008)Endangered (2008)

• Habitat destruction• Introduction of non-native predator (foxes)• Less than 1000 mature individuals (20% decrease

over past 5 years)

Conservation Conservation • Threatened list under Australian law• Habitat protected• Captive breeding programs (Perth Zoo)• Reintroduction programs• Fox population control are essential

OutlookOutlook• Breeding programs successful• Reintroduction to select habitats• Declines at Dryanda not understood and

detrimental to conservation

ResourcesResources• IUCN Redlist - http://www.iucnredlist.org/• Perth Zoo - www.edsite.com.au/perthzoo/numbat.htm• Project Numbat: Numbat.org.au• Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia -

http://www.wpsa.org.au/