Common wombat

Sarcoptic mange (scabies mites)

SignsSkin thickens, hardens and cracks; hair loss; crusts on eyes and ears; rubs body against walls from itching

PreventionAvoid contact with wild animals and other mammals. Regular skin checks and deworming/mite treatment by a vet

Heatstroke

SignsOpen-mouthed shallow breathing, drooling, staggering, leaving the burrow and collapsing during the day

PreventionAbove 28°C, keep in an underground burrow or air-conditioned room. Avoid direct sun and keep water always available

Malocclusion / overgrown teeth

SignsDropping food, drooling, dirty mouth area, weight loss, avoiding tough grass

PreventionTeeth grow for life. Offer tough grass, roots and bark daily to wear them down

Gut stasis

SignsFewer or smaller droppings, bloated abdomen, reduced appetite, sitting still

PreventionHigh-fiber grass as the staple. Do not feed high-sugar foods such as grains, fruit or bread

Intestinal parasites

SignsSoft stool or diarrhea, losing weight, dull coat, pale gums from anemia

PreventionFecal exams several times a year. Remove droppings from the enclosure promptly and keep the soil clean

Obesity / fatty liver

SignsFat on the neck and rump, sluggish movement, less digging, erratic appetite

PreventionKeep vegetables, fruit and pellets minimal. Let it dig every night in a large enclosure for exercise

Claw and toe injuries

PreventionClaws snag on wire mesh and hard floors. Use an earth floor as standard; any mesh should be fine-gauge

First aidPress bleeding with clean gauze. If a claw splits, stop digging and see a vet the same day to prevent infection

Burrow collapse / crushing

PreventionDo not over-compact digging soil; check soil depth and post positions at the design stage

First aidIf buried alive, dig it out quickly and check breathing. If it cannot walk or is coughing, suspect lung injury and go to a vet immediately

Collision with fences or doors

PreventionWhen startled it charges at 40 km/h. Pad metal fences and avoid sudden loud noises

First aidAfter a head strike, check consciousness, nosebleed and gait. If there is a nosebleed or staggering, see a vet the same day

Bite wounds from other wombats

PreventionHouse singly as a rule. If cohousing, provide enough burrows and space, and separate during breeding season

First aidRinse the wound under running water and press to stop bleeding. Deep wounds or swelling abscess easily, so get antimicrobial treatment at a vet the same day

Sarcoptic mange

RouteContact with an infected animal; shared bedding

PreventionHandle animals with skin lesions using gloves. Wash hands and change clothes after work

Salmonellosis

RouteContact with soil or water contaminated by droppings

PreventionWash hands after enclosure work. Never touch droppings bare-handed; keep the soil from staying wet

Leptospirosis

RouteContact with water or soil contaminated by urine

PreventionWear boots and gloves. Change water daily and keep rodents out

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteDirect contact with skin or fur

PreventionIsolate any animal with hair loss or ring-shaped lesions. Wash hands well after contact

Food

• Staple: unlimited hay and wild grasses (grass family) at all times
• Root vegetables, bark and tree roots a few times a week for tooth wear
• A very small amount of herbivore pellets once nightly

Water

• Fresh water at all times in a shallow, heavy container
• In summer, set up several water points and change twice a day

Toys & play

• Diggable mounds of earth or sand (the most important enrichment)
• Logs and tree roots (for chewing and rubbing)
• Tunnel-like clay pipes or large pipes

Nest, bed & hideout

• An underground burrow at least 1 m deep or a dark artificial nest box
• Insulated so the interior stays around 20°C year-round

Bedding & litter

• Earth and sand outdoors; thick hay or wood chips indoors
• Line the nest box with hay and replace fully once a week
• It tends to use a fixed latrine spot, so remove droppings daily

Cage / housing material

Metal fencing buried at least 1 m underground, with a bottom mesh to prevent dig-outs

Size & space

At least 100 m² per animal, with an outdoor earth floor

Layout

• Spread out shaded burrows, water points and feeding areas
• Soil deep enough not to collapse when dug, with post foundations
• Double-door entry; padding on fences for collisions

Placement notes

• A roof to block direct sun and an air-conditioned refuge room
• Inspect under the fence daily and fill any dig-out holes

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Let it roam and dig freely across the whole enclosure at night
• Leash walks are unsuitable. Keep activity inside the enclosure
• Less digging suggests ill health

Temperature & humidity

Temperature15–22°C inside the burrow. Restrict activity when air temperature exceeds 28°C

Humidity50–70%. Avoid condensation or excess humidity in the burrow

Summer & winter

• In summer, keep it in the burrow by day and provide a cooled room and water
• In winter, line the nest box thickly with hay; bring indoors below 0°C

Nail trimming

Wear naturally with digging. If overgrown, a vet trims under sedation

Brushing, skin & coat care

The coarse coat needs no brushing. Check the skin weekly for crusts and hair loss

Other care

Check for overgrown teeth monthly. Dropped food is the telltale sign

Protection from predators

• Keep stray dogs and foxes out with fencing and bottom mesh
• Contact with wildlife brings in mange
• In summer, flies and mosquitoes gather on skin lesions, so control insects

Foreign-body ingestion

Easily swallows plastic, rope and fence fragments. Remove litter from the enclosure daily. See a vet immediately if appetite drops or droppings decrease

Being stepped on

Rarely stepped on by people, but beware of being run over by vehicles or machinery. Confirm the animal's location before any vehicle enters the enclosure

Getting pinched

Gets legs or head caught in door and fence gaps. Always confirm its position before closing a door. If trapped, do not pull; remove the door instead

Falls

Falls from ledges or walls cause fractures and spinal injury. Do not build drops over 1 m in the enclosure. If it cannot walk after a fall, see a vet immediately

Escape

Can dig under a fence in one night. Bottom mesh and daily fence inspection are essential. If it escapes, search around burrows and lure it with food to capture

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and silent. Struggling widens the wound
2. Cover its face with a thick cloth or towel to block its vision
3. Insert a hard rod at the corner of the mouth and lever it open slightly
4. Once released, guide the animal into its nest box and withdraw

After the release

The bite is strong enough to break bones. Rinse the wound under running water, press to stop bleeding, and always seek medical care

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight, photos of droppings, diet, and changes in activity hours. Contact a vet who can handle wildlife before transport

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and tap the body lightly to check response
• Check breathing by chest movement (20–30 per minute at rest)
• Check pulse at the femoral artery on the inner hind leg (60–100 per minute)

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for at least 5 minutes
• For claw or ear bleeding, bandage while maintaining pressure
• If it will not stop, keep pressing during transport

Transport

• Place in a large-dog crate or sturdy wooden box, darkened
• In summer add cloth-wrapped ice packs. In winter keep warm with blankets