Wombats are one of Australia’s most loved marsupials, but they are often misunderstood. In children’s books they are described as slow and clumsy, yet, they can actually run faster than a human or dog over a short distance.
Muddle-headed wombats! No, they are quick to learn and they have adapted to their life underground. However, the stories about heroic wombats herding other animals to saftey into their fire-proof burrows are not true. Nevertheless, wombats may have helped many animals during the recent bushfires in Australia. It might not have been their intention, but their burrows provide a safe refuge underground.
Wombats dig large warrens, and the networks of interconnecting burrows have temperatures that are very stable compared to surface temperatures. Daily temperature fluctuations can be less than 1° Celsius, as compared to 24 degrees on the surface. The coolish burrows would be a great help during fires, so many small mammals use wombat burrows to hide from the flames.
Wombats do not have one burrow; instead, they have multiple burrows. One study found a wombat with 14 different burrows. The warrens can have several entrances and can consist of almost 100 metres of tunnels.
But surviving fire is only half the battle. The food in a landscape barren after a bushfire is scarce, and it is vital to avoid predators.
“Down a burrow, dug in deep.
A wombat curled up, fast asleep.
In other tunnels big and round
Other creatures can be found.” Bushfire by Tricia Oktober
Earth sheltering is a sustainable approach to building houses. Design a house or a suburb or town inspired by wombats. For inspiration, check out these designs.
Happy and creative thinking!
Photos: Common Wombat
Wombat burrow and scat, Narawntapu National Park, Tasmania
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applying what we learn to design and problem-solving. Instead of inventing from scratch, it means studying how plants, animals, and ecosystems have already solved a challenge — like staying cool, collecting water, or absorbing carbon — and adapting that strategy for human use.
How does biomimicry help address climate change?
Nature has been adapting to extreme conditions for billions of years, so many organisms already hold working solutions to problems we now face at a larger scale — cooling buildings without electricity (termite mounds), collecting water in drought (the Namib beetle), protecting coastlines from storms (mangrove roots), and capturing carbon (corals, forests, kelp). Biomimicry means studying those solutions and applying the same principles to human design.
How can children get involved in biomimicry?
Children don’t need special training to think like a biomimicrist — just curiosity and a habit of asking “how does nature solve this?” Simple ways to start include a backyard scavenger hunt for nature’s patterns, a “design-an-animal” challenge for a changing climate, or building a small model (like a passive-cooling structure or a water collector) inspired by something they’ve observed outdoors.
Is biomimicry only for scientists and engineers?
No — biomimicry is as much a mindset as a profession. Anyone can practice it by observing nature closely and asking design questions. Professional biomimicry practitioners apply it in architecture, materials science, and engineering, but the same core skill — careful observation followed by “what if we built it that way?” — is exactly what this post’s classroom and family activities are designed to build in children.
Åsa Jomård
In 2015, Åsa completed a course in Biomimicry: A Sustainable Design Methodology at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. With over 10 years of experience exploring nature for inspiration and as a former member of Ben, Biomimicry Education Network, she brings both academic background and creative teaching experience to her work. Her materials seamlessly integrate stories, nature observations, and design challenges, making them perfect for inquiry-led learning in early primary contexts.
AI was used as a Thinking Partner.
Reblogged this on ReadCountCraft and commented:
This is so encouraging after hearing about all the animals killed in the Brushfires. I think 2 million and I cannot imagine the Koala going extinct?! I HOPE NOT. The architectural link is a gorgeous obvious statement of Biomimicry. This blog is approaching an idea that is ahead of it’s time, and I believe will be embraced in the future in the U.S. with the emphasis on Environmental Engineering. It’s also a fascinating way to link nature to children because they can relate to it! P.S. J.R.R. Tolkien was ahead of his time with the Hobbit Hole eh?
Hi, I love the idea of Tolkien and the Hobbits! Absolutely right! I have a link somewhere about building a house the looks like a Hobbit Hole! I will post it as inspiration. Thank you so much for reblogging and for your kind support!
It was so sad to hear about all the people and animals affected by the fires. It’s so nice to hear about the animals who use their survival skills and/or homes to stay safe! I loved reading facts about the lovely wombat; it warmed my heart! So glad some animals were able to use the wombat home to stay safe.
This is such interesting information. I had no idea about a wombat’s many warrens. Thank you for the post!