Frankie the Numbat Turns Six at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: January 28, 2022 8:22 pm

Frankie the numbat stands near the termite cake prepared by keepers to mark his birthday

Photo Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Keepers at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo have prepared a special termite cake to mark the birthday of their numbat, Frankie. He marked his sixth birthday.

Frankie faced a tough start to life making each birthday even more special. At just 7 months old he was abandoned by his mother.

He is one of the few numbats in human care on the East coast of Australia. Here he is an important ambassador for his species helping to educate visitors on his endangered species. The species is threatened by habitat loss and invasive predators such as cats and foxes.

Frankie was delighted with his birthday cake as his species can feed on up to 20,000 termites in a day.

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“There aren’t many numbats in human care on the East Coast of Australia and experts have estimated there are only 800 in the wild on the West Coast, which makes every birthday a special occasion for Frankie,” said Melanie Higgins, keeper at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.

“We are so proud of how far Frankie has come as he now participates in voluntary health checks and continues to delight and educate guests with his cheeky personality,” Melanie Higgins continued.

Frankie is affectionately nicknamed Scrat as some of his behaviors are likened to those of Scrat, from the film Ice Age.

No living marsupial is closely related to the numbat. Their closest relative the Tasmanian Tiger is extinct.

Learn more about Numbats here – Numbat Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo on their website – WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo