Queensland rock kangaroo
| Queensland rock kangaroo | ||||||||||||
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Queensland rock kangaroo ( Petrogale inornata ), |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Petrogale inornata | ||||||||||||
| Gould , 1842 |
The Queensland rock kangaroo ( Petrogale inornata ) is a species of marsupial from the kangaroo family (Macropodidae).
features
Queensland rock kangaroos are medium-sized representatives of the rock kangaroos , males weigh around 5.0 kilograms, while females reach an average of 4.2 kilograms. Their fur is gray-brown on the back and light brown on the belly, the coloration can vary regionally. The shoulder region is often dark brown, sometimes stripes on the face or back are visible, but these are often inconspicuous. As with most kangaroos, the hind legs are long and strong, while the front legs are short.
distribution and habitat
These kangaroos are native to Australia , their range includes eastern Queensland including some of the offshore Whitsunday Islands . Their habitat are rocky regions that are made up of open forests or scrubland.
Way of life
Queensland rock kangaroos live in stable pairs, the partners often share the roost and groom each other's fur. They are nocturnal and sleep in crevices or caves during the day, and in search of food at night. They mainly eat grass and herbs. Like all kangaroos, they have a multi-chambered stomach for better utilization of the difficult to digest plant food.
After a gestation period of around 30 days, the female usually gives birth to a single young. This spends its first six to seven months of life in the mother's pouch and is finally weaned at eleven months. Sexual maturity occurs at around 18 months.
Danger
Queensland rock kangaroos are widespread and common. There is no known threat, the IUCN lists it as “not at risk” ( least concern ).
literature
- Ronald Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
Web links
- Information and illustration
- Petrogale inornata onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved May 27, 2009.