Wombat droppings? Cubes at Cradle Mountain!

Travel guide for Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, Australia

Wombat droppings? Cubes at Cradle Mountain!

6 December 2010 7 Comments

Visitors to Cradle Mountain National Park are often mystified by the amount and type of animal droppings that are found in the Park.

One type in particular that fascinates us all are wombat droppings.

Why you may ask? Because wombat droppings are unique, they are shaped like a cube! In fact, Australia’s early bushmen would write numbers on the six sides of the poo and use them as dice in bush gambling games.

Wombats at Cradle Mountain love to “mark” their territory with their cube shaped poo. Anything new in their area is a prime target for marking, particularly if it is elevated. Items such as fallen trees, fresh mushrooms, rocks and even an upright stick have been found with dung on top!

Why the cubed shape? There have been many ideas too rude and “crass” for here …….. BUT the most scientific reason seems to be that the cube shape means that dung is less likely to roll off the objects they have marked thus protecting the Wombats territory!

Wombats are very common in the Cradle Mountain National Park , you can read more about these delightful marsupials by clicking on this link.

Image by el captain via Flickr

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7 Comments »

Tania - Think Tasmania said:

One of my regular readers (Roger) informed me that wombat poo was square. I told him I would probably never be able to confirm that – but now there’s confirmation!! I would like to add a link to this post to his comment on my website, if that’s okay with you?
Many thanks, Tania

# 4 April 2011 at 8:02 am

Frank (author) said:

Hi Tania,
Yep, almost square!
Very happy for you to link.
Best wishes and LOVE the images (and content) on your site!
Frank

# 4 April 2011 at 8:34 am

Evie said:

Next time you are on the east coast, come check out the “Poo Bar” at Natureworld. There are examples of the local poos all under glass, so you can get a close, smell free look at the different shapes and sizes.

# 3 July 2011 at 3:28 am

Frank (author) said:

Would love to Evie,

Fascinating stuff Tassie animal poo!

# 10 July 2011 at 7:52 am

Brooke, WhyGo Australia said:

Oh. my. goodness. haha! Thanks for this educational post!

# 9 August 2011 at 10:54 am

Australia Travel News 08/16/2011 | Australia Travel Guide said:

[...] Cradle Mountain » Wombat droppings? Cubes at Cradle Mountain! [...]

# 16 August 2011 at 4:37 am

David said:

I once has a bet with an American guy that wombat scats are bricks. I won! The little old Wombies must have the most amazing sphincters. Now we know where the expression ” S..t a brick” comes from!

# 23 May 2012 at 2:39 am