Nambat (lat. Myrmecobius fasciatus) is one of the marsupial mammals. Belongs to the detachment of predators and the family of marsupials. In Russian culture, this animal is often called gooseed, and the second, more scientific name is marsupial ants.
Appearance
According to many people, Nambat is considered one of the most beautiful and unusual animals that inhabit Australia. Its size is not particularly large, like a middle cat. The weight reaches half a kilogram, and the body length is thirty centimeters. The tail looks like a whitish, the same fluffy and long, it is twothirds of the entire length of the torso ant. The muzzle is noticeably pulled forward so that the individual can eat normally. Their eyes are quite large, against a small face, they stand out, the ears are short and pointed, directed upward. The mouth is wide, inside has a long tongue that is able to stretch for ten or even fifteen centimeters.
According to scientists, Nambat is one of the leaders in the number of teeth among small mammals. Fifty teeth are located in his jaws that do not have much power, but cut food without problems. The paws are located wide and length short, on the two front extremities, the five fingers, on the rear four. The claws are sharp and powerful, with the help of them the animal can climb trees without difficulties.
On the body, or rather, closer to the tail, there are black and white stripes that create an unforgettable color of Murashed. The rest of the body has a red, brown or reddish tint, but in some places you can see gray hair.
Lifestyle
Nambat is the only representative of the marsupial family, whose activity falls on the day. All other mammals from this family fear predators and cannot afford to wake up for a long time in the daytime, but not an ant. Upon the onset of darkness, he goes to his nest, which is usually located in holes, hollows and logs. In terms of its size, its place of residence is not particularly large, with a narrow passage two to three meters long, at the end of which there is a spherical chamber. It is in it that Murasheud spends the one, the mouthcovered surface with leaves of trees, grass, parts of shrubs and bark. Когда животное удобно устроиться в жилище и будет готово ко сну, оно закрывает проход толстым крестцом. This allows Nambata to hide from predators and not be afraid to sleep.
Unlike young animals, adults try to live singlely, without getting down into flocks and protecting their territory. After puberty, the individual outlines a rather extensive territory up to one and a half square kilometers in area and protects it from unwanted guests. When the reproduction period begins, the ants still have to contact other members of the family, since they go beyond their usual place and look for a female.
The movement of the nambats is specific and does not look like other mammals. This is something akin to fast and maneuverable jerks, which are accompanied by a quiet step. They eat throughout the day, but sometimes they can stop to check the district for a danger. When they learned the threat, they do not begin to fight with her and prefer to run away. The speed that the nambats can develop can reach forty kilometers per hour. The escape will continue until the animal takes a tree.
Where they live
A few centuries ago, marsupial ants inhabited the vast territory of Australia and did not belong to enduring views. Their area could be forests, and any, starting from rare and wet, ending with arid. They could also often meet on pastures with an abundance of grass.
Currently, they can only be found in forests full of eucalyptus trees, which are usually located at a fairly large height above sea level-315-320 meters. Due to the huge number of trees fallen as a result of some events, Nambats feel great in this environment and are not afraid of anything, because there will be no dangers next to them. In addition, eucalyptus wood play an indispensable role in the life of gooseeds, especially at night. Upon the onset of darkness, these animals are looking for a refuge in hollow trees, and a shadow of Breven hides them during the day.
What they eat
As the name says, the marsupial anteal eats ants and the like, which is not strange. Often in their diet you can find termites, as well as other invertebrates that fall into the stomach by chance. Since food in these animals occurs throughout the day, they use a couple of dozen termites every day. Evolution awarded Nambatov with a special building, thanks to which they can easily digest such volumes of living food.
Reproduction
Reproduction of females occurs when 12 months of age reach, and males, in turn, reach puberty by two years of life. Pregnancy takes place with the onset of cold weather, usually in December or January, the period is short-lived-only fourteen days later two or four cubate cubs are born in the world. Another feature can be called the absence of a bag that other marsupials have.
Population
The habitat of marsupial ants began to decrease with the arrival of colonialists who sowed devastation and destroyed many species. At the moment, representatives of this species exist only in two or three territories, to which the hands of white conquerors have not reached. Another place where the nambats remained is the regir reserve, which is located in the west of Australia.
Natural enemies
They try to avoid predators, which is also facilitated by the color, which acts as camouflage. But the small size imposes certain restrictions on the gooseeds, and they often become a delicacy of red foxes, pythons, large predatory birds and wild cats.
Interesting Facts
- Nambats have a hibernation period during which they are in fullfledged animoia and are not able to respond to an external threat. At this time, they often become victims of predators.
- Когда сумчатый мурашеед начинает свою трапезу, его без особых проблем может взять на руки и погладить даже человек, ведь животное сосредотачивается исключительно на еде, забывая обо всём вокруг.
