Pretty-faced wallaby
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Pretty-faced wallaby ( Macropus parryi ) |
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| Bennett , 1835 |
The pretty-faced wallaby ( Macropus parryi ) is a species of kangaroo from the subgenus of wallabies ( Notamacropus ). It is characterized by its facial markings and long tail and lives in eastern Australia .
description
The fur of the cute face wallabies is gray-brown on the upper side, the underside is whitish. The top of the head and the tip of the tail are usually darker in color. The most striking characteristic are the white stripes on the cheeks that extend from the muzzle to under the eyes. The tail is longer than that of other wallabies and extremely thin. As with most kangaroos, the hind legs are significantly longer and stronger than the front legs and the skull is elongated. These animals reach an average body length of 90 centimeters, a tail length of 94 centimeters and an average weight of 16 kilograms.
distribution and habitat
Pretty-faced wallabies are native to the eastern Australian coastal region, their range extends from the south of the Cape York Peninsula ( Queensland ) to north-eastern New South Wales . Their habitat are open, grassy forest areas, whereby they prefer hilly terrain.
Way of life
These kangaroos are diurnal, but mostly foraging in the morning or evening. During the day they often hide in the shade. They live together in groups that can contain up to 50 animals and develop a social structure. The males fight among themselves for the leadership role in the group and for the mating privilege of the females.
Like all kangaroos, pretty-faced wallabies are herbivores that feed on grasses and herbs.
After a gestation period of around 34 to 38 days, the female usually gives birth to a single young. This spends its first eight months of life exclusively in the mother's pouch, a few weeks later it is weaned. Sexual maturity occurs at around 18 to 24 months, a little earlier in females than in males.
threat
The pretty-faced wallaby is one of the less endangered species of kangaroo, it has never been hunted commercially and is relatively common in its range.
Pretty wallabies are no longer cared for in Europe, former owners are Cologne, Munich and London.
supporting documents
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Mammals of the World . Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 1999. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
Web links
- Information on Animal Diversity Web
- Macropus parryi onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved May 12, 2009.