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2021 – Australia At Night: Wombat
Fourth Coin in this Popular Series
The Ultra-Rare Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
The northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii), or yaminon, is one of three extant species of wombats. It is one of the rarest land mammals in the world; unfortunately it is critically endangered. Its historical range extended across New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland as recently as 100 years ago, but it is now restricted to one single location, a 3-square-kilometer range within the Epping Forest National Park in Queensland. In 2003, the total population consisted of a mere 113 individuals, including only about 30 breeding females. In the last census taken in 2013, the estimated population was 196 individuals, with an additional 9 individuals at the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge at Yarran Downs near St. George in southern Queensland. In recent years, the population has experienced a slow but steady increase to an estimated 230 individuals in 2015.
The Wombat
There are only three extant species of wombats, a large Australian marsupial. Wombats are short-legged, muscular quadrupeds, approximately 39 inches (1 meter) in length, with a very short tail. An adult common wombat averages a weight of over 55 pounds (25 kg). They are found in forested, mountainous, and heathland areas of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. The name "wombat" comes from the Eora Aboriginal community, who were the original inhabitants of the Sydney area.
Wombats' fur color can vary from sandy to brown, or from gray to black. Wombats are herbivores: their diet consists mostly of grasses, sedges, herbs, bark and roots. Their incisor teeth somewhat resemble those of the placental rodents, being adapted for gnawing tough vegetation.
Wombats dig extensive burrow systems with rodent-like front teeth and powerful claws. One distinctive adaptation of wombats is their backwards-facing pouch. The advantage of this is that when digging, the wombat does not spray dirt into its pouch or over its young. Although mainly crepuscular and nocturnal, wombats will also venture out to feed on cool or overcast days. They are not commonly seen, but leave ample evidence of their passage, treating fences as minor inconveniences to be gone through or under.
Dingos (Australian wild dogs) and Tasmanian Devils prey on wombats. The wombat's primary defense is its toughened rear hide, with most of its posterior made of cartilage! This, combined with its lack of a meaningful tail, makes it difficult for any predator that follows the wombat into its tunnel to bite and injure the animal. When attacked, wombats dive into a nearby tunnel, using their rump to block a pursuing attacker. Wombats may allow an intruder to force its head over their back and then use its powerful legs to crush the skull of the predator against the roof of the tunnel, or drive it off with two-legged donkey kicks!
Wombats have an extraordinarily slow metabolism, taking around 14 days to complete digestion! This aids their survival in arid conditions. They generally move slowly, and because of this are known for taking shortcuts, but when threatened they can reach up to 25 mph (40 km/h) and maintain that speed for up to 90 seconds. Wombats are wide-ranging foragers and nocturnal, with strong instincts for burrowing behaviors. These characteristics make them unsuitable as pets, despite their cute and furry appearance.
Limited mintage of 1,000 pieces worldwide.
Obverse
A nocturnal, adult wombat scurries out of its den, under the light of the moon that rises over the farmhouse and windmill of an outback sheep or cattle station. The scene sports a proprietary black treatment to simulate the nighttime, when the wombat is most active. The legends AUSTRALIA AT NIGHT and WOMBAT denote the theme.
Reverse
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in crowned profile facing right. This portrait, featuring Her Majesty wearing a tiara and pearl earrings, was executed by the sculptor Ian Rank Broadley. The legend ELIZABETH II, the date of issue and denomination also appear, while the legend 1 OZ 999 SILVER guarantees the weight and purity.
Niue
Island Country
Niue is a small island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. It’s known for its limestone cliffs and coral-reef dive sites. Migrating whales swim in Niue's waters between July and October. In the southeast is the Huvalu Forest Conservation Area, where trails through fossilized coral forests lead to the Togo and Vaikona chasms. The northwest is home to the rock pools of Avaiki Cave and the naturally formed Talava Arches. ― Google
Capital: Alofi
Dialing code: +683
Population: 1,620 (2018)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar
Continent: Oceania
Official languages: Niue, English
Government: Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy, Non-partisan democracy.
Photos taken with Nikon D3300 DSL Camera with attached AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G lens. Adobe Photoshop Elements used to fix any digital artifacts.