World Numbat Day

World Numbat Day: Tiny, Stripy, and Totally Terrific!

Welcome to World Numbat Day, brought to you by Project Numbat Inc. This yearly event falls on the first Saturday in November every year is a vital initiative to protect one of the cutest creatures on Earth, the numbat!
These marsupials call the land Down Under their home and they are indeed a far cry from the notorious critters that Australia’s usually famous for. They’re cuter than a basket of kittens and hungrier than a bottomless pit. Numbats are not interested in causing chaos in the animal kingdom; they’re more into dining on termites and looking awesome in their striped coats. And unless you’re a termite, you’re in no danger here!

Meet the Masters of Mlem! 

Numbats are fascinating creatures that play an important role in the Australian ecosystem.
Numbats, scientifically known as “Myrmecobius fasciatus” and also affectionately known as “banded anteaters,” may look like they’re ready for a fancy ball with their distinctive stripes, but their true elegance lies in their insectivorous prowess.
Numbats are the only mammals in the world that eat termites as their primary food source, and they play an important role in the Australian ecosystem by helping to control termite populations. These little insect-gobbling superheroes are nature’s vacuum cleaners of the Australian bush when it comes to termites.
They have a sticky tongue that’s as long as 25% of their own body, making them the undisputed “mlem” champions of the marsupial world. They have an insatiable appetite for termites, slurping up to a staggering 20,000 termites in a single day!
Numbats are like the tiny, fluffy guardians of the outback, ensuring the termite apocalypse doesn’t happen.

The Numbat Crusade: Protecting a Precious Species

Now, it’s time for the bittersweet reality check. The numbat was once widespread across Australia, but its population declined dramatically in the 20th century due to habitat loss, predation by foxes, feral cats and competition from other introduced species. Numbats are now listed as endangered under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
So, here’s where World Numbat Day becomes not just cute but critically important. With their numbers dwindling to fewer than a thousand individuals, we should all do our part to help protect these amazing animals from extinction.

The Origin of World Numbat Day

World Numbat Day was created in 2015 by Project Numbat Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to raise awareness for these underappreciated wonders of the Australian outback and to encourage people to take action to help protect this endangered species.
World Numbat Day is celebrated on the first Saturday in November each year, with celebrations held in Australia and around the world, with a growing number of individuals joining the cause and making it a part of their yearly calendar.

How You Can Make a Difference on World Numbat Day

So, you’re feeling the numbat love and itching to do something about it? 

•  Visit the website of Project Numbat or another numbat conservation organization to learn more about these amazing creatures. The more you know about numbats, the better you can help them. 
• Consider supporting organizations like Project Numbat and other wildlife conservation groups. Your donation can help to support important conservation efforts, such as habitat restoration, predator control, and research. 
• For those with a bit more time on their hands, you can volunteer with local conservation initiatives or even participate in numbat habitat restoration projects.
• Many zoos, wildlife parks, and other organizations host World Numbat Day events. These events are a great way to learn more about numbats and to show your support for numbat conservation.
• If you’re feeling adventurous, why not organize a numbat-themed event or fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for these marvelous marsupials? 
• Reduce your environmental impact by making changes to your lifestyle, such as driving less, using less energy, and composting your food scraps. 
• Be a responsible pet owner by keeping your cat or dog indoors and up to date on their vaccinations. Cats and dogs are predators of numbats, and they can also potentially spread diseases. 
• Spread the word about World Numbat Day and the importance of numbat conservation. You can also share information about numbats on social media or write a blog post about numbats and the threats they face. The more people who know about numbats, the better equipped we will be to protect them. 

Your actions may seem small, but collectively, they can make a world of difference for these terrific termite terminators.

The Day When Termites Tremble

Let’s protect the numbat, one mlem at a time to ensure these termite-loving marsupials thrive for generations to come. Australia’s secret weapon against the termite invasion!
And if anyone asks why you’re donning a numbat onesie, handing out termite-shaped cookies and challenging your friends to a ‘mlem-off’, just let them know that Wild Calendar gave you permission to go a little wild on World Numbat Day.
Happy World Numbat Day!