Numbats are on the increase in Western Australia
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325759)
Rockingham, Australia
November 20, 2020 8:49pm CST
One of our West Australian (WA) emblems is the numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) or banded anteater. I would sometimes catch a glimpse of this little creature when riding my pony through the Dryandra Reserve at the back of our farming property. The woodland is home to the largest remnant of original vegetation in the Wheatbelt.
Numbats are only found in the wild in Dryandra and a very few other WA locations. New communities are being established in South Australia and New South Wales. They are considered endangered and their numbers were dangerously low in recent years. It is believed there are fewer in the wild than orangutans or giant pandas.
However, thanks largely to a concerted effort in controlling foxes and feral cats, there seems to have a recent explosion in numbers of numbats.
Numbats are small and colourful, with a total length of between 35 and 45 cms (14 and 18 in). The muzzle is very pointed and the bushy tail has four to eleven white stripes. They are insectivorous and feed on termites. They are also diurnal (feed during the day).
It’s good to know that some animals are seeing an increase in their numbers.
The photo is of a numbat in Perth Zoo.
29 people like this
30 responses
@wolfgirl569 (95136)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Nov 20
Good to hear they are making a comeback. Its a cute creature
6 people like this
@kaylachan (57636)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Nov 20
That's good. We've lost a lot of animal species over the years due to their numbers getting lower and lower. So, to see the reverse is always nice to see.
4 people like this
@kaylachan (57636)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Nov 20
@JudyEv I completely agree with you on that one.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
21 Nov 20
They must be in every other creatures food list for them to be endangered.
I'm guessing man's greed played a part as well.
Glad to see their numbers grow.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45467)
• India
21 Nov 20
I am very happy to see an endangered species growing in numbers due to conservation efforts.
I hope that these creatures get good and ample spaces to live and thrive.
Are these shy or can they attack humans?
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45467)
• India
22 Nov 20
@JudyEv
Oh so their sighting must be a delight, especially for animal watchers!
1 person likes this
@prinzcy (32322)
• Malaysia
21 Nov 20
Why are they riding the pony?
It's good that they make a comeback. It makes me sad whenever the animals were announced as extinct. I am still hoping that whichever animals announce as extinct were only hiding from human. They're safe somewhere, even at a small amount.
It's good that they make a comeback. It makes me sad whenever the animals were announced as extinct. I am still hoping that whichever animals announce as extinct were only hiding from human. They're safe somewhere, even at a small amount.3 people like this
@rebelann (111164)
• El Paso, Texas
21 Nov 20
Yes, I remember reading about the dingos @JudyEv from what I can remember some scientist thought they'd migrated to Austrailia thousands of years ago from Asia and then mingled with the dogs that the colonists let run wild. I doubt anyone will ever really figure out exactly where dingos came from
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62120)
• United States
21 Nov 20
What pretty markings it has! Good conservation job, too, since their numbers are increasing! And they do everyone a good service by eating termites!
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62120)
• United States
22 Nov 20
@JudyEv — we worked hard all our lives, and we could’ve gotten a job counting termites! 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 20
@FourWalls We'd have needed a lot of fingers! lol
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
21 Nov 20
this's wonderful news! i so hope such continues, hon. they'd be a very 'mportant part 'f the ecosystem. 'tis 'lso cuteness o'erload :)
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
23 Nov 20
@JudyEv i bet so, hon. the hubs herd 'f feral cats 've been most detrimental here't our place. i miss e'en the lil lizards who used to be most prevalent out'n the vines, 'round the pond 'n elsewhere. nothin' 'tis been sacred with this bunch. i've e'en seen 'em kill/eat prayin' mantis.
'tis a wondrous thingy when nature 'tis'n balance. beneficial fer all.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Nov 20
@crazyhorseladycx Too many anything upsets the balance, doesn't it?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
21 Nov 20
What an interesting looking animal. Glad they are flourishing again.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 20
It's great to think they are coming back in from the cold, so to speak.
@snowy22315 (169940)
• United States
21 Nov 20
They are really cute little animals aren't they?
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 20
I think they are lovely. It was always a thrill to see them in the bush as they were so rare.
