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Numbats are pouchless marsupials |
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here for Numbat photos! |
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Numbats or marsupial anteaters live in Australian forests and deserts |
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They are the only living species of the family Myrmecobiidae |
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They can grow up to 27.5 cm long, plus a 17 cm (7 in.) tail |
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They can weigh up to 45 kg. |
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They have gray, brown, or dull red backs which are crossed by six
or seven white stripes |
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Each animal has unique, individual markings |
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They have a long, bushy tail which is often carried erect |
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They have 52 small teeth |
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Numbats have a pointed snout with a small mouth and a long, sticky
tongue that can reach as far as 100mm from the mouth opening |
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The tongue is used to pick up ants and termites (they are insectivores) |
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An adult numbat eats about 20,000 termites each day! |
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Numbats are one of the few marsupials that are diurnal (most active
during the day) |
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At night, they take shelter in hollow logs |
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The numbat is hunted by foxes, feral cats (cats that have reverted
to the wild), dogs, and birds of prey. The numbat will retreat to
a hollow log when a predator threatens |
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These solitary, long-tailed termite-eaters are in danger of extinction;
very few remain in the wild |
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The numbat has a life span of 5-6 years in captivity |
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