Red neck filander
| Red neck filander | ||||||||||||
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Red-necked Filander ( Thylogale thetis ) |
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| Thylogale thetis | ||||||||||||
| ( Lesson , 1827) |
The red-necked filander ( Thylogale thetis ) is a species of kangaroo from the genus Filander ( Thylogale ).
features
Red-necked filanders are small, stocky representatives of the kangaroos. They reach a head body length of around 52 centimeters, plus a tail that is around 43 centimeters long. The weight varies from 4 to 7 kilograms, with the males being significantly heavier than the females. Their fur is gray on the back, the belly is noticeably lighter. The reddish-colored shoulders and neck are the name-giving feature. As with most kangaroos, the hind legs are significantly longer than the front legs, and the tail is sparsely hairy.
distribution and habitat
These kangaroos live in eastern Australia , their range extends from southeast Queensland to central New South Wales . The habitat of these animals are densely vegetated rainforests and eucalyptus forests ; they are often found at the forest edges.
Lifestyle and diet
Red-necked filanders are mostly nocturnal and sleep hidden in the thick undergrowth during the day, but sometimes they can also be found sunbathing. At night they go in search of food, mostly on grassy areas near the forest - if there are any signs of danger, they immediately flee into the protective undergrowth. They live predominantly solitary, although sometimes several animals go looking for food together.
Their diet consists mainly of grasses and herbs. Like all kangaroos, they have a multi-chambered stomach for better utilization of the difficult to digest plant food.
Reproduction
After a gestation period of around 30 days, the female usually gives birth to a single young. As with many other kangaroos, their births are delayed . The young spends its first six months in its mother's pouch and is weaned after a few more weeks. Sexual maturity occurs at around 18 months.
Danger
Red-necked filanders have indeed disappeared from part of their range, such as southern New South Wales, but overall the species is widespread and, according to the IUCN, is not an endangered species.
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
Web links
- Information at Animal Diversity Web
- Thylogale thetis onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved May 18, 2009.