General Description

Compact wallaby with rounded ears, dark grizzled fur on back and rufous brown fur on belly. No distinct markings on the face or hips. Average weight is about 7 kg for males and 4 kg for females, with males being up to 120 cm long including tails. Tails are shorter than body and are approximately 30-40 cm long.

Biology

Solitary and nocturnal wallabies that feed on herbs, grasses, shoots and nectar-bearing flowers near the forest edge. Sexually dimorphic, males are considerably larger than females, and like their larger kangaroo cousins, will engage in ritualised 'boxing' fights over dominance and mates. Mothers give birth to an average of 1.3 young per year. Lifespan in the wild is estimated at 5 years.

Distribution

Tasmania, King Island, Furneaux Islands and Flinders Island. Formerly found in southern Victoria as well but now extinct on the mainland.

Habitat

Wet forest and woodland, heath, scrubland.

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