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If you think Wombats are defenceless creatures considering their size
and look, mind you, you are on the wrong track. If a Wombat feels
threatened of being attacked by human beings, it would prefer to play an
attacking role. First, it will run very fast towards the attacker and
bawl over or tip over the attacker in no time. Once the hunter is down
on the ground, the Wombat will start using its claws to claw on the
hunter and once the hunter starts to fight or exert effort to stop the
Wombat, it would start biting the hunter with its sharp teeth.
Its powerful kicks
A Wombat’s defence mechanism is mostly based on kicking the predator.
Its legs are very powerful and it can deliver two-legged kicks, which is
very similar to a "donkey kick". This kick is so powerful that it is
capable of knocking the predator unconscious. With their powerful legs
and sharp claws, this can be an effective defence. Also, the Wombat’s
large, sharp incisors act effective enough in its defence mechanism.
If any animal tries to attack a Wombat in its burrow, the Wombat will
use its backside as a shield. As wombat’s lower back is rounded and
covered with extremely thick, tough skin it stands difficult to
penetrate. The wombat also has a very small tail. This serves beneficial
as the attacking animal has little or least chance to grab on to. Even
if an attacker somehow manages to grab a Wombat, it would be difficult
for him to pull a wombat out of the hole.
Crashing the attacker
If the attacker attempts to crawl over the Wombat in its burrow, the
Wombat will suddenly push up with its powerful legs, crushing the
attacker into the ceiling of the burrow. This can break the attacker's
nose or jaw or even kill it by stopping it from breathing.
Territorial disputes
When threatened, a Wombat is known to hiss and rush. It will often
try to chase intruders away. If one Wombat enters another's feeding
ground, a growling dispute seems to occur. Adult males may also show
aggression by swaying their heads and baring their teeth. In the wild,
male aggression usually occurs only around breeding time. When they do
so, the attacking wombat will try to bite the other wombat's ear or
side. The other wombat at that time will try to use its thick-skinned
rear as a shield and may use its hind feet to kick back.
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I was not kicked once but was knocked over and savagely bitten numerous times until I managed to get up and over the fence.
This is a wombat I used to lovingly feed bottles.
He is released now and out terrorizing the bush.