The unique Australian marsupial the Wombat is featured here as part of the Royal Australian Mint's innovative 'Land Series'.
The series showcases animals from the Australian bush and was intended for both seasoned and younger collectors. The
There are three species of Wombat that can be found across Australia: common, northern hairy-nosed, and southern hairy-nosed. (Office of Environment and Heritage, 2014) The common wombat generally lives in wet partly forested areas while the southern hairy nosed is more likely to be found in dry open country. All wombats produce sophisticated burrows which, despite being solitary animals, they occasionally share with others. Unlike the quite secure common wombat, the northern hairy-nosed is critically endangered with all being located within 3 square kilometres of land in Epping Forest National Park, Queensland. It is estimated that there is around 230 northern hairy-nosed wombats remaining. (Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, 2015)