Massive and Oldest Living Wombat Turns 29

Patrick the wombat turned 29 over the weekend, marking yet another successful and happy year for the world's oldest living wombat.

Patrick turned 29 on Aug. 24, earning a great deal of love and congratulations from his friends and adopted family at the Ballarat Wildlife Park in Ballarat, Australia.

This latest birthday makes Patrick the oldest known wombat in captivity by 14 years. It also makes him likely one of the oldest, if not the oldest common wombat on Earth. Most of Patrick's species only live to around five years old in the wild, after fully maturing by age 2.

Patrick weighs nearly 90 pounds (~40 kg) in total, complete with a barrel-like body, short powerful legs and long flat claws more adapted for tunneling than walking.

He is affectionately called the "Wombassador" by admirers all over Australia, and is often brought out in a wheelbarrow to meet and greet park visitors. They are often floored by the incredible size of the cuddly animal, who looks a great deal like a giant hamster.

Patrick fell under the international spotlight recently after being named one of the top eight city mascots in the world by CNN. He even found his way onto the Today Show last month.

His fame has allowed him to meet some pretty well-known celebrities, including Nicolas Cage, Kirstie Alley and Kim Cattrall, according to the Ballarat Wildlife Park.

Unfortunately, there are not likely to be any little Patricks waddling around anytime soon, if ever. Patrick is nearly a 30-year-old virgin, having never fathered children or even interacted with a partner in all his time at the park.

Despite how much he enjoys cuddling with the staff and greeting park visitors, the massive wombat seems to also enjoy the bachelor's life, complimentary birthday carrots included, of course.