Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Squarer Than Wombat Poop
May 5, 2021
Discover the adorable wombat, known for its unique cube-shaped poop! Delve into the fascinating biology that shapes this quirky phenomenon, from their remarkable anatomy to their digging skills. Join a lighthearted discussion featuring humorous insights and recent scientific studies. Learn how this odd trait holds evolutionary significance and even reflects wombat health. Prepare to be entertained while exploring one of nature's cutest mysteries!
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Wombat Poop and Characteristics
- Wombats are the only animals with cube-shaped poop.
- They're stout, powerful diggers related to koalas, living in burrows.
Wombat Rectum
- Wombats have round anuses, not square ones as some might assume given their cubic poop.
- Researchers confirmed this through physical examination.
Intestinal Grooves
- A 2018 study dissected a roadkill wombat and discovered grooves with varying elasticity in its intestines.
- This was the first step toward understanding the mechanism behind the cube-shaped poop.