A common wombat at Point Lesueur on Maria Island in Tasmania, Australia

Hug a wombat today. We did not invent this, honest

Wombats, like kangaroos and koalas, are native only to our country’s mainland and some of its surrounding islands, including Maria Island National Park, where this photo was taken. We bring you a wombat in celebration of Wombat Day. Why Wombat Day? Why not? Wombat fan groups – which are a thing – loosely tie the October celebration to spring planting festivals from Australia’s past. But many admit that it’s also just a good excuse to share photos of wombats and eat cake – preferably chocolate.