Wombat burrows act as natural air conditioning, staying up to 15°C cooler than the surface.

Wombats are master excavators that build complex tunnel systems reaching depths of up to 2 meters and lengths of 30 meters. These burrows provide a critical microclimate because soil has high thermal inertia, meaning it absorbs and releases heat very slowly compared to the air. Research published in the Journal of Thermal Biology has shown that while external temperatures fluctuate wildly, burrow temperatures remain remarkably constant.During the peak of Australian summers, surface temperatures often exceed 40°C (104°F), which can be lethal for many mammals. Inside the burrow, the temperature typically hovers around a comfortable 25°C (77°F). This 15°C difference allows wombats to conserve energy and water that would otherwise be lost through panting or sweating. The tunnels are so effective that other animals, like wallabies and goannas, have been observed seeking refuge in them during bushfires.Wombats have a low metabolic rate, which helps them survive on low-nutrient grasses but makes them prone to overheating. To regulate their internal temperature, they utilize their sparsely furred abdominal skin as a thermal window. By lying on their backs in the cool soil of the burrow, they maximize heat transfer away from their core. This behavioral adaptation is essential for their survival in the arid and semi-arid regions of Australia.