It is the only marsupial that feeds exclusively ion termites and ants and many of its distinctive anatomical features are related to this diet.
The head is narrow and flattish, with a pointed muzzle and bold dark eye-stripe. It has an exceptionally long tongue that can extend to at least 5cm beyond the tip of its nose.
It is mostly a reddish-brown color with an off-white-colored belly. There is a distinct horizontal black stripe through the eye, and the tail is covered in long brown hairs tipped with white.
The Numbat formerly occurred from far-western New South Wales, through to South Australia and across southern Western Australia. Two subspecies have been described: Myrmecobius fasciatus fasciatus in south-western Australia and the more rufous-colored M. f. rufus to the east. Numbats occurred in a range of vegetation types but the majority of sites were characterized by the presence of termites.
There are white stripes across the body that get stronger towards the rump, further accentuated by dark bands. The number of white bands varies between four to eleven, and their distinct patterning can be used to identify individuals.
Numbats, unlike most other marsupials, are diurnal, meaning they are active only during the day. Numbats rest at night in fallen logs, hollow trees or burrows that they dig to a depth of up to 2 m. The species is solitary and individuals of the same sex occupy exclusive home ranges of 25–50 ha. They do not emerge from their nests until well after dawn, and return before dark.
During winter, they are active from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, and in summer they are active during the morning and in the period before dusk. Their daytime activity corresponds to the availability of their specialized diet of termites (Isoptera species).
Numbats appear to spend much of the day feeding, and each individual consumes up to 20 000 termites each day. This corresponds to approximately 10% of the body weight of an adult animal.
Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus)
