Field observation of daytime courtship and mating of the common wombat Vombatus ursinus.

Abstract

A pair of wombats (Vombatus ursinus) near Braidwood NSW, were observed in the early afternoon for over one hour during which time the darker and greyer animal (male) followed close (about 2 m) behind the larger, tawny furred animal (female). They followed a fixed path over a 0.25 ha area of short grass. Copulation occured 4 times with the male partly on its side at right angles acroos the hind quarters of the female.