Wildlife photographer Mark Jackman drove at less than 5km/h for days, just to get a few seconds' footage of a yawning numbat — and it was all worth it.

Key points: A Yallingup wildlife photographer says he was thrilled to get footage of a numbat unfurling its tongue

A Yallingup wildlife photographer says he was thrilled to get footage of a numbat unfurling its tongue There are about 1,000 numbats left in the wild, with populations in the WA Wheatbelt and South West

There are about 1,000 numbats left in the wild, with populations in the WA Wheatbelt and South West Social media is boosting awareness of the critically endangered marsupials

The numbat is less known than the more extroverted quokka, which has become insta-famous thanks to selfies with tennis star Roger Federer.

Photographers say the numbat's shy nature mean it is difficult to get a good picture — especially one where the rare marsupial is unfurling its extraordinarily long tongue hunting for termites.

But the power of social media means a good photograph can increase awareness of the plight of the endangered numbat.

Just before coronavirus travel restrictions, Mr Jackman, who is from Yallingup, headed out to Boyagin Nature Reserve, about 130km south-east of Perth, hoping to get the elusive shot.

The numbat emerges from a log south of Perth. ( Supplied: Mark Jackman )

He and his partner drove in first gear for hours, eyes peeled for numbats.

"This one was just sitting on top of a log and we stopped, and it just dropped into that log and it just kept on poking its head out for about 20 minutes. It was really curious about us," he said.

Mr Jackman said it was the first time he had managed to film a numbat unfurling its tongue.

"I was very excited and very careful not to bump the tripod," he said.

The thrill of seeing a creature so rare was worth the 10-hour days of crawling along in the car, scanning logs.

"When you see one it's like you are looking at something that shouldn't be alive, it should be extinct," he said.

Numbat 'Sheila' at Boyagin Nature Reserve ( Supplied: Boyagin Numbat Sensor Camera Survey/Ulrike Jacob )

Conservationists estimated that while there were only about 1,000 of the animals left in the wild, there were promising signs that efforts to save it were working.

They said distinctive and shareable pictures of numbats could help bolster public awareness.

Self-described citizen-scientist Sean Van Alphen, helps run the Boyagin Numbat Sensor Camera Survey and said he had seen an increase in public interest.

"It's become quite a popular thing for people to do [take photographs] … and with photography you do get a lot research notes out of that," he said.

"There's a lot more awareness now because of social media."

Mr Jackman said numbats' natures were in keeping with current messages to stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Distinctive numbat pictures help raise the profile of the endangered marsupial ( Suppled: Mark Jackman )

"Numbats stay in their own territory and they only go out to feed on termites," he said.

"They are very aware of where the logs are in their territories, so if there is any sign of danger they'll just run to one of those logs and hole up there until they know it's safe."