While the numbat has relatively powerful claws for its size, it is not strong enough to get at termites inside their concrete-like mounds, and so must wait until the termites are active.
Kuigi kukkur-sipelgakarul on oma suuruse kohta suhteliselt võimsad küünised, pole ta siiski piisavalt tugev saamaks termiite kätte nende betoonilaadsetest kuhilatest, seega peavad ootama, kuni termiidid on aktiivsed.