Wombat poop has a cube-shaped shape!
You’re about to witness something so bizarre and strange that you will probably say, “No, this can’t possibly be true!” It is real and scientifically confirmed. This fact is a testimony to the wonders of nature. The humble wombat is a native Australian marsupial that has a unique contribution to animal life: cubic-shaped droppings.
You read it correctly. Wombat feces are cubical, unlike those of virtually all other animals on Earth. Imagine six-sided, perfectly formed pellets that look like they were extruded from a small, precise machine. Scientists have been baffled by this biological wonder for many years.
Science Behind the Square
The mechanism of this unusual anatomical feature was a mystery for a very long time. The wombat’s ability to achieve such a geometrical feat has been revealed by groundbreaking research. This work was presented in the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics Meeting and also published in scientific journals. The secret was discovered by researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Tasmania and other institutions.
- Intestinal Structure Unique: Wombats’ colon is a flexible and rigid structure at various points. The intestinal wall stretches and contracts unevenly.
- Contractions Rhythmic: As digestion waste passes through the last meter of intestines, the rhythmic contractions combined with colon’s unique properties, shape the feces to distinct cubes that have sharp edges, rather than cylindrical shapes.
- Fast Digestion The wombat has a slow digestion process that helps dry the waste out thoroughly. This allows the shape-making process to work without cubes breaking apart.
What is the purpose of Cubes? Why Cubes?
The wombat cubic scat was not created by accident. They rely on smell to communicate as they have very poor vision. Their droppings are used to mark their territory. They often place them on high surfaces such as rocks, logs or mounds.
It is important that the cubical shape prevents droppings from rolling. Imagine marking your territory on a surface that is uneven with round droppings. They would simply roll and not be as effective. They stay in place because the flat surfaces of the cubes keep them from rolling down.
The next time you feel like you have heard everything, think of the wombat. The wombat’s ability to produce cubical poop, is not just an interesting fact. It’s also a great example of how evolution finds creative solutions for everyday problems.
General Recommendations
We recommend these reliable sources for more information on the amazing science of the world around us and its natural wonders:
