The Dryandra Woodlands is an important conservation area covering 28,000 hectares established by Department of Parks and Wildlife to protect the Numbat and many other animals that thrive here.
Numbat Facts
1. The Numbat has a long, sticky tongue that it uses to dip into narrow cavities in logs, leaf litter and in small holes in the ground to collect termites, which it eats exclusively.
2. Numbats eat up to 20,000 termites a day and do not need to drink water because they get enough water from the termites they eat.
3. The Numbat is one of few marsupials only active during the daytime.
4. Numbats breed in February and March, normally producing one litter a year.
5. Numbats sit up like meerkats to get a good look around and if they sense danger.
6. Until European colonisation, Numbats were found in all mainland states and territories. Primarily due to the introduction of the fox and land clearing, the Numbat is now only found in two small pockets of WA - Dryandra and Perup.
7. Sadly, there are fewer than 1,000 Numbats left in the wild. Less than the number of orangutans in Sumatra or Giant Pandas in Asia.
How to spot a Numbat:
- The Dryandra Woodlands has a number of walking trails but the Wandoo Trail is the best bet for spotting a Numbat.
- Numbats feed in mid-morning to mid-afternoon and rises a little earlier in Summer.
- Pay attention to hollow logs, loose soil, and anything else that looks like an ideal habitat for termites.
- Numbats will also forage in open areas near the cover of shrubs. The trees provide some protection from birds of prey but there needs to be space between the foliage for the sun to reach the forest floor and warm the ground so the termites are active.
- It goes without saying that if you do spot a Numbat, respect their space and do not attempt to touch or feed them.
Visiting Dryandra
The Dryandra Woodlands is a conservation area for over 24 mammal, 98 bird and 41 reptile species including the Bilby, Woylies, Tammar Wallabies, Brushtail Possums, Tawny Frogmouths, Kangaroos and Wallabies are all regularly seen here.
There are a number of accommodation options available, including several campsites and well-appointed cabins. For more information on one of WA's most significant conservation areas, visit Parks WA.
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The Hotham Williams Economic Development Alliance acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Marradong Country region. We wish to respect their continuing culture and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Noongar people in this area
The Hotham Williams Economic Development Alliance acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Marradong Country region. We wish to respect their continuing culture and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Noongar people in this area