# Numbat (*Myrmecobius fasciatus*)

> The numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is a diurnal, termite-eating marsupial of southwest Western Australia, banded with white stripes and a long sticky tongue. Adults weigh about 0.5 kg and are Endangered — foxes, cats, and woodland clearing confined them to tiny remnants and fenced reintroduction sites.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Endangered
- **Range:** Southwest Western Australia remnant populations and reintroduction sites.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/numbat/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Dasyuromorphia
- **Family:** Myrmecobiidae
- **Genus:** Myrmecobius

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Myrmecobius fasciatus |
| Diet | Termites |
| Habitat | Eucalypt woodland and wandoo forest |
| Lifespan | Around 5 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 0.5 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 20 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Endangered (IUCN) |

## Day-active termite hunter

Unlike most small Australian marsupials, numbats forage by day. Up to 50 tiny teeth and a long tongue flick termites from shallow soil galleries. They do not dig deep mounds like echidnas; they expose subsurface runs.

## Termites by the thousand

A single numbat may eat roughly 15,000–20,000 termites daily. They rarely take ants in quantity — termites are the staple. Across its range it is tied to eucalypt woodland and wandoo forest, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.

## Wandoo woodland remnants

Eucalypt woodland and wandoo forest of southwest Western Australia, plus fenced reintroduction sites. Hollow logs provide critical shelter. Across its range it is tied to eucalypt woodland and wandoo forest, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.

## Endangered fox prey

Red foxes and feral cats drove catastrophic declines; IUCN lists numbats Endangered. Fox baiting, cat control, and predator-proof fences underpin recovery.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why are numbats active during the day?

Termites are available in shallow soil by day, and diurnal foraging may reduce competition with nocturnal insectivores.

### How many termites does a numbat eat?

Estimates often cite around 15,000–20,000 termites per day for an adult.

### Are numbats related to bandicoots?

They are marsupials in their own family (Myrmecobiidae), specialised for termites rather than a bandicoot lifestyle.

### Why are numbats Endangered?

Predation by foxes and cats plus clearing of hollow-rich woodland collapsed their range.

### Where do numbats live now?

Small areas of southwest Western Australia and managed reintroduction sites.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/numbat/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.