A robust marsupial mammal native to southeastern Australia, characterized by its stocky build and burrowing behavior. Vombatus ursinus is the largest of the three extant wombat species, adapted to temperate forest and grassland ecosystems.
Forested regions of Tasmania, southeastern mainland Australia, including alpine and subalpine zones ranging from sea level to 2,000 meters elevation. Prefers areas with dense vegetation and soft, well-drained soils suitable for extensive underground tunnel systems.
Critical ecosystem engineers that modify landscape through extensive burrowing, create habitat refuges for other species, and contribute to soil turnover and nutrient cycling in Australian terrestrial ecosystems.