Nambat (lat. Myrmecobius fasciatus) – one of the marsupial mammals. Belongs to the order of predators and the family of marsupials. In Russian culture, this animal is often called a goose-eater, and the second, more scientific name is the marsupial anteater.
Appearance
According to many people, the nambat is considered one of the most beautiful and unusual animals that inhabit Australia. Its size is not very large, like an average cat. The weight reaches half a kilogram, and the body length is thirty centimeters. The tail is similar to a squirrel, the same fluffy and long, it makes up two-thirds of the entire length of the anteater’s body. The muzzle is noticeably stretched forward so that the individual can eat normally. Their eyes are rather large, stand out against the background of a small face, the ears are short and pointed, directed upwards. The mouth is wide, inside it has a long tongue that can stretch ten or even fifteen centimeters.
According to scientists, Nambat is one of the leaders in the number of teeth among small mammals. There are fifty teeth in its jaw, which do not have much strength, but they cut food without problems. The paws are set wide apart and short in length, on two front legs there are five fingers, on the hind legs there are four. The claws are sharp and powerful, with the help of them the animal can climb trees without difficulty.
On the body, or rather, closer to the tail, there are black and white stripes that create an unforgettable goose-eating color. The rest of the body has a reddish, brown or reddish tint, but gray hair is visible in some places.
Lifestyle
Nambat is the only representative of the marsupial family, the activity of which falls on a day. All other mammals in this family are wary of predators and cannot afford to stay awake for long during the day, but not the anteater. At nightfall, he goes to his nest, which is usually found in holes, hollows and logs. In terms of size, his place of residence is not very large, with a narrow passage two to three meters long, at the end of which there is a spherical chamber. It is in it that the goose-eater spends the night, covering the surface with tree leaves, grass, parts of shrubs and bark. When the animal is comfortable in the dwelling and is ready for sleep, it closes the passage with a thick sacrum. This allows the nambat to hide from predators and not be afraid to sleep.
Unlike young animals, adults try to live alone, not straying in flocks and protecting their territory. After puberty, the individual outlines a rather vast territory up to one and a half square kilometers in area and protects it from unwanted guests. When the breeding season begins, the anteaters still have to contact other members of the family, as they go beyond their usual place and look for the female.
The movement of Nambats is specific and unlike other mammals. This is something akin to quick and agile jerks, which are accompanied by a quiet step. They feed throughout the day, but sometimes they can stop to check the area for danger. When they sense a threat, they don’t fight it and prefer to run away. The speed that the nambats are capable of developing can reach forty kilometers per hour. The escape will continue until the animal climbs the tree.
Where dwell
Several centuries ago, marsupial anteaters inhabited a vast territory of Australia and did not belong to endangered species. Their habitat could be forests, and any, ranging from rare and wet, ending with arid. They could also often be found in pastures with an abundance of grass.
Currently, they can only be found in forests full of eucalyptus trees, which are usually located at a fairly high altitude above sea level – 315-320 meters. Due to the huge number of trees felled due to some events, nambats feel great in this environment and are not afraid of anything, because there will be no danger next to them. In addition, eucalyptus wood plays an irreplaceable role in the life of goose-eaters, especially at night. At nightfall, these animals seek refuge in hollow trees, and during the day they are hidden by the shadow of logs.
What do they eat
As the name says, the marsupial anteater eats ants and the like, which is not strange. Termites can often be found in their diet, as well as other invertebrates that enter the stomach by chance. Since these animals feed throughout the day, they consume a couple of dozen termites every day. Evolution has endowed nambats with a special structure, thanks to which they can digest such volumes of living food without any problems.
Reproduction
Reproduction of females occurs when they reach 12 months of age, and males, in turn, reach sexual maturity by two years of age. Pregnancy passes with the onset of cold weather, usually in December or January, the period is short – just fourteen days later, two or four nambat cubs are born. Another feature is the absence of a pouch that other marsupials have.
Population
The habitat of marsupial anteaters began to decline with the arrival of colonizers, who wreaked havoc and destroyed many species. At the moment, representatives of this species exist only in two or three territories, which have not reached the hands of the white conquerors. Another place where the nambats remained is the Regir Nature Reserve, which is located in western Australia.
Natural enemies
They try to avoid predators, which is facilitated by the coloring, which acts as a camouflage. But the small size imposes certain restrictions on goose-eaters, and they often become a delicacy for red foxes, pythons, large birds of prey and wild cats.
Interesting Facts
- Nambats have a hibernation period during which they are in full suspended animation and are unable to respond to external threats. During this time, they often fall prey to predators.
- When the marsupial goose-eater begins its meal, even a man can pick him up and stroke him without any problems, because the animal focuses exclusively on food, forgetting about everything around.
