Wild Numbat Ecology and Termite Diet

Numbats are unique marsupials with a highly specialized diet of termites whose survival depends on intact Wandoo woodland and fox control.

Key Facts

Numbats (Myrmecobius fasciatus) are the only marsupials that are exclusively diurnal
They consume up to 20,000 termites daily using a long sticky tongue
Numbats were once found across southern Australia but are now restricted to a few sites in Western Australia
Fox and cat predation drove their near-extinction; fox baiting programs enabled population recovery
They do not need drinking water, obtaining all moisture from termites
Numbats are the faunal emblem of Western Australia
Captive breeding programs have successfully reintroduced numbats to fenced reserves

Welfare Considerations

Numbats' extreme dietary specialization means that any habitat degradation that reduces termite availability directly threatens their survival. Fox and feral cat predation causes direct mortality and chronic predation stress. In reintroduction sites, ongoing fox control is essential to numbat welfare and survival. Without sustained fox baiting, numbat populations rapidly decline from predation pressure.

What You Can Do

Support Project Numbat and WWF Australia's numbat recovery programs
Advocate for expanded fox baiting programs in numbat habitat and reintroduction sites
Donate to fencing programs creating predator-free reserves for numbat reintroduction
Spread awareness of the numbat as an example of successful conservation through fox control
Visit Dryandra Woodland where wild numbats can sometimes be seen to support ecotourism
Support habitat management programs maintaining Wandoo woodland for numbat populations