Wombats are surprisingly strong swimmers that can cross rivers to find food.

Wombats are short-legged, muscular quadrupedal marsupials native to Australia. While they are primarily known for their burrowing expertise, all three species—the Common Wombat, Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, and Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat—possess the innate ability to swim. Their dense, barrel-shaped bodies are surprisingly buoyant, allowing them to stay afloat while using their powerful limbs to paddle through the water.Ecologists have documented wombats crossing rivers and even flooded plains to access better grazing grounds or to escape predators. This behavior is particularly important during the Australian wet season when heavy rains can suddenly transform dry gullies into rushing streams. By crossing these barriers, wombats can maintain larger home ranges, which typically vary from 5 to 25 hectares depending on the environment and food availability.Research conducted by wildlife biologists suggests that swimming is also a key factor in the dispersal of sub-adult wombats. When young wombats leave their mother's burrow at around 18 to 20 months of age, they must often travel long distances to establish their own territory. Being able to navigate aquatic obstacles prevents them from becoming trapped in isolated pockets of land.While they are not considered semi-aquatic like the platypus, their swimming endurance is remarkable for a land-dwelling herbivore. Observations have shown them crossing bodies of water several meters wide with steady, rhythmic strokes. This physical versatility highlights the evolutionary adaptations that have allowed wombats to survive in the diverse and often harsh Australian landscape for millions of years.