Numbat
Diurnal marsupial termite specialist, emblem of Western Australia.
The numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus), also known as the noombat or walpurti, is a small, diurnal insectivorous marsupial native to Australia. It is the sole member of the family Myrmecobiidae within the order Dasyuromorphia and is notable for its specialized diet consisting almost exclusively of termites. Once widespread across southern Australia, the species is now restricted to a few small colonies in Western Australia and is considered endangered, protected by conservation programs. It serves as the faunal emblem of Western Australia.
- binomial_name
- Myrmecobius fasciatus
- family
- Myrmecobiidae
- order
- Dasyuromorphia
- status
- Endangered
- diet
- Insectivorous (termites)
- activity
- Diurnal
- emblem_of
- Western Australia
Lore & Background
The numbat is a small, distinctively striped animal measuring 35 to 45 cm in length, including its bushy tail. Its coloration varies from soft grey to reddish-brown, with a conspicuous black stripe running from the muzzle through the eye to the ear, and four to eleven white stripes across the hindquarters. It has five toes on the fore feet and four on the hind feet, and possesses a sternal scent gland used for marking territories. Uniquely among terrestrial mammals, it has an additional cheek tooth between the premolars and molars, though its jaw is degenerate with up to 50 tiny, nonfunctional teeth. Its long, narrow tongue is coated with sticky saliva, adapted for capturing termites.
Reader's Guide
Its ancestors diverged from other marsupials between 32 and 42 million years ago, and it is the sole extant member of its family. The species has suffered a dramatic range contraction since European colonization, now surviving only in two small areas of Western Australia, with fewer than 1,000 individuals in the wild. Conservation efforts include reintroductions into fenced, predator-proof reserves in South Australia and New South Wales, though some attempts have failed. The numbat's legacy lies in its unique evolutionary history, its role as a flagship for Australian marsupial conservation, and its status as a faunal emblem.
Did You Know?
- The numbat is the only marsupial fully active by day.
- It has the highest visual acuity of any marsupial.
- Two subspecies were described, but one—Myrmecobius fasciatus rufus—has been extinct since at least the 1960s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Numbat?
A Numbat is a small, daytime-active marsupial from Australia that stands alone as the only living species in the family Myrmecobiidae, within the Dasyuromorphia order. Its solitary taxonomic position makes it a genuine evolutionary one-of-a-kind.
What does a Numbat eat?
Although broadly classified as insectivorous, the Numbat's diet is strikingly narrow, consisting almost entirely of termites. It uses a long, sticky tongue and a pointed snout to probe into termite mounds and pull out its prey.
Where can you find a Numbat in the wild?
Once spread across much of southern Australia, the species is now restricted to a handful of small colonies in Western Australia. These remaining populations occupy sandy, open habitats where termite colonies are abundant.
Is the Numbat endangered?
Yes—wild Numbats are listed as endangered, with surviving colonies confined to a few protected sites in Western Australia. Ongoing conservation programs focus on habitat protection and managing predation threats to these fragile populations.
Why is the Numbat considered special among marsupials?
It is the sole surviving representative of an entire family, a lineage with no close living relatives. Additionally, the Numbat serves as the official faunal emblem of Western Australia, a recognition of its unique place in the state's natural heritage.
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