World Numbat Day 2026: The Striped Termite-Eater Making a Comeback

It has a bushy tail, a body striped like a tiger’s, and an appetite for thousands of termites a day. The numbat is one of Australia’s most charming and unusual mammals, and this year it has good news to celebrate. In 2026, the world’s main authority on threatened species moved the numbat out of the Endangered category after decades of conservation work. With World Numbat Day on the first Saturday of November (November 7 this year), here are the essential numbat facts, the story of its recovery, and why it is still not out of danger.

The Short Answer

The numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is a small, striped marsupial from Western Australia that eats almost nothing but termites. In 2026, the IUCN Red List moved it from Endangered to Near Threatened, because its numbers have grown to an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 individuals. Conservationists say that is a hopeful milestone, not a finished job.

Numbat Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Myrmecobius fasciatus
• Also called: The banded anteater. The Nyoongar name is noombat.
• Type of animal: A small marsupial
• Diet: Termites, with an estimated 20,000 eaten in a day
• Home: Eucalypt woodland and forest in the south-west of Western Australia, plus a few re-established populations in southern Australia
• Status: Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List (2026)
• Population: About 2,000 to 3,000 individuals
• Emblem: The animal emblem of Western Australia

What Is a Numbat?

The numbat is a small marsupial with a reddish-brown coat, pale stripes across its back and rump, and a long, bushy tail. It is also called the banded anteater, although it is not related to true anteaters. Unlike most small marsupials, the numbat is active during the day, which is part of the reason it is so popular with wildlife watchers.

Its long, narrow snout and sticky tongue are built for catching termites, which are its main food. Numbats forage for them among fallen logs and in the soil, which is why hollow logs matter so much to the species: they offer both shelter and a home for the termites.

Where Do Numbats Live?

Numbats once roamed across much of southern Australia. Today, they survive in the wild in a few small pockets. Two original populations remain in Western Australia, at Dryandra Woodland and Perup Nature Reserve. Conservationists have also established additional populations in recent decades. According to Tony Friend, a research associate at Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, five new populations now exist: three in Western Australia, one in South Australia and one in New South Wales. They range from about 20 or 30 individuals to as many as 150 or 200, and the oldest was established more than 30 years ago.

The Comeback Story: From 300 to 2,000 and Beyond

By the late 1970s, only about 300 numbats were left in Western Australia. The main causes were predation by introduced foxes and feral cats, and the loss of woodland habitat.

What changed things was a long, patient effort:

• Controlling foxes and cats: Baiting and culling foxes and cats across numbat habitat produced fast results in both of the original Western Australian populations. Friend described the increases as spectacular. A broader state program called Western Shield supports this work.
• Moving numbats to new places: Scientists have translocated numbats to re-establish them in parts of their former range, including fenced areas that keep predators out. Some of these moves failed, but others have created self-sustaining populations.
• Careful fire management: Fires that are frequent and intense are another threat to the species.
• A big team: The work involved wildlife scientists, the state conservation department, Perth Zoo, conservation organisations and community volunteers.

In July 2026, the IUCN moved the numbat from Endangered to Near Threatened. Friend said this was the result of what the team had been working toward for more than 40 years.

Why the Numbat Is Not Saved Yet

Conservationists are quick to add caution to the good news:

• Still one of Australia’s rarest mammals. Project Numbat says the species is not saved and still relies on help.
• National status. The Australian Government’s species profile, last updated in April 2026, still lists the numbat as Endangered under national law. The IUCN’s decision is an international assessment.
• Ongoing management is essential. A senior ecologist with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Dr Jennifer Anson, warned that without active management, the trend could reverse quickly.
• Threats continue. Foxes, feral cats, habitat loss and fire remain risks.

How You Can Help Numbats

• Support the conservation groups: Project Numbat, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and Perth Zoo all work with numbats.
• Spread the word: World Numbat Day is a good time to share their story.
• Respect their habitat: If you visit numbat areas, keep to marked paths, and never leave food or litter.
• Keep cats indoors: If you live in Australia, keeping pet cats inside helps protect native wildlife.

Fun Facts About Numbats

• A numbat can eat roughly 20,000 termites a day.
• Numbats are one of the few marsupials that are active in daylight.
• The species is the faunal emblem of Western Australia.
• Its name in the Nyoongar language is noombat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a numbat?

A numbat is a small, striped marsupial from Western Australia that feeds almost entirely on termites. It is also called the banded anteater.

Are numbats still endangered?

The IUCN moved the numbat from Endangered to Near Threatened in 2026. However, Australian national law still lists it as Endangered, and conservationists say the species still needs active protection.

How many numbats are left in the wild?

Estimates in 2026 put the population at about 2,000 to 3,000, up from around 300 in the late 1970s.

What do numbats eat?

Almost exclusively termites. A numbat can eat around 20,000 in a day.

When is World Numbat Day?

It is observed on the first Saturday of November, which is November 7 in 2026, according to animal awareness calendars.

Where can you see numbats?

The species lives in small pockets of woodland in Western Australia, such as Dryandra Woodland, and in some fenced sanctuaries. Perth Zoo also keeps numbats.

Sources

• Mongabay: Once endangered, Australia’s numbat is making a hopeful recovery
• The Optimist Daily: From 300 to 3,000: how Australia brought the numbat back
• Project Numbat: Numbats are bouncing back!
• Perth Is OK!: Numbat comeback: new research finds WA’s animal emblem numbers on the up
• Australian Government, DCCEEW: Numbat species profile
• Western Australian Museum: Numbat