Wallaby
Wallaby Facts
| Size | 20-41 inches (52-105 cm) |
| Speed | Up to 29 mph (48 km/h) |
| Weight | 9-42 pounds (4-19 kg) |
| Lifespan | 8-10 years |
| Food | Buds, ferns, bark, grasses, herbs, leaves |
| Predators | Dingoes, domestic dogs, domestic cats |
| Distribution | Australia, New Guinea |
| Habitat | Australia, New Guinea |
| Order | Forests, bush landscapes |
| Family | Kangaroos |
| Scientific name | Notamacropus |
| Characteristics | Small, slender kangaroos that inhabit forests |
Main Characteristics
Wallabies are marsupials. They belong to the kangaroo family but differ significantly from the Red and Grey Giant Kangaroos. They are generally smaller and inhabit forests rather than open landscapes. They exhibit striking markings such as white stripes on their faces, black stripes on their backs, or red fur on their necks.
Name
The name wallaby originates from the language of the Aborigines (an indigenous people of Australia). They referred to the animal as "walabi" or "waliba". A baby wallaby is known as a joey. Males are referred to as bucks, boomers, or jacks. Females are called does, flyers, or jills. A group of wallabies is termed a mob, court, or troupe.
Species
There are eight brush wallaby species (Notamacropus): the agile wallaby, the black-striped wallaby, the Tammar wallaby, the Eastern and Western brush wallaby, the parma wallaby, the whiptail or pretty-faced wallaby, and the red-necked or Bennett's wallaby. There are more than 30 kangaroos that are referred to as wallabies, like the swamp wallaby, the rock-wallaby and the hare wallaby. In this animal profile we focus on the brush wallabies.
Distribution and Habitat
The natural habitat of wallabies consists of coastal forests and bushland in the southern, eastern, and northern regions of Australia. The agile wallaby also resides in New Guinea.
Way of Life
Wallabies are primarily active during twilight and at night.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
The largest and heaviest is the red-necked wallaby, which has a body length of 20-41 inches (52-105 cm) and weighs between 30-42 pounds (14-19 kg). Its tail measures 28-30 inches (70-75 cm) in length. The smallest and lightest is the Tammar wallaby, reaching only 20-27 inches (52-68 cm) in length and weighing 9-20 pounds (4-9 kg). Its tail is 13-18 inches (33-45 cm) long.
Strong Teeth
The skull, jaw, and teeth of Wallabies are naturally smaller compared to those of the larger kangaroos, but they are also stronger. They do not feed on soft grass but rather on tough, fibrous leaves. They can bite harder than their larger relatives.
Tail
Wallabies possess a strong tail. Just like the large kangaroos, it assists them in maintaining balance.
Wallaby or Red/Grey Kangaroo – What’s the Difference?
Colloquially, all small kangaroos are referred to as wallabies. In reality, the wallabies belong to their own genus and are distinctly different from the large kangaroos, such as the Eastern Grey Kangaroo and the Red Kangaroo. These „giant“ kangaroos are typically twice the size and weigh 3-4 times more. They have longer legs, make powerful, long jumps, form large groups, and inhabit open landscapes. Wallabies, on the other hand, are much smaller and slimmer. They have short legs, make shorter jumps, and tend to be solitary, living in forests or bushland.
Diet
Wallabies are herbivores. Their diet consists of buds, ferns, bark, grasses, herbs, and leaves.
Behavior
Defense
Wallabies are always “all ears”! When they sense a predator approaching, they thump their hind legs on the ground. This is essentially an alarm signal. Additionally, they emit soft, hoarse sounds to warn their companions. They always try to flee first. However, if escape is not possible and a fight ensues, they will kick with their powerful hind legs and box with their fists.
Are Wallabies Dangerous?
Wallabies are not aggressive. They do not actively attack humans. However! If someone approaches a wallaby to take a selfie or to pet it, they should be aware that the wallaby may not appreciate this. It might feel threatened or cornered. In such cases, it will kick with its strong hind legs and box with its fists. Like all wild animals, wallabies can transmit diseases through injuries, no matter how small they are.
Senses and Abilities
Senses
The eyes of wallabies are positioned on the sides of their heads. This gives them a wide field of vision, allowing them to spot predators from a distance. Their sense of hearing is particularly well-developed. Since they can move their ears independently, they are able to detect sounds from all directions.
Speed
The agile wallaby holds the title for the fastest wallaby, capable of reaching speeds of up to 29 mph (48 km/h.)
Drinking Saltwater
The Tammar wallaby possesses a unique ability: it can drink saltwater to meet its hydration needs. Unlike us humans, our kidneys aren't designed for that. However, even the Tammar wallaby cannot survive solely on saltwater and only resorts to it when it's on the brink of dehydration.
Life Expectancy
In the wild, wallabies typically live for 8 to 10 years. However, free-roaming domestic cats and dogs, as well as foxes, are often responsible for reducing their lifespan.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
The main natural predators of wallabies include dingoes, Tasmanian devils, and wedge-tailed eagles.
Human Impact
Habitat Loss
The areas required for agriculture are constantly expanding. This means that native animals like wallabies have less habitat available. They rely on dense forests and bushland. Globally, 70% of agricultural land is used to grow feed for livestock. If we consumed less meat, we could feed more people while using less land.
Invasive Species
Originally, Australia did not have domestic dogs, cats, or foxes. These species were introduced to Australia. All three of these animals hunt wallabies - dogs are often allowed to roam off-leash, and most cats are outdoor pets. Additionally, rabbits, goats, cattle, and sheep have been introduced, which compete with wallabies for food.
Conservation Status
Most wallabies are not considered endangered. However, the Eastern Irma wallaby is regarded as extinct. The Parma and Derby wallabies have a very limited habitat, which means these species could soon be at risk.
Importance to the Ecosystem
The wallaby spreads seeds everywhere with its droppings, helping to create new plants.
Wallabies as Pets
Wallabies are wild animals and therefore not suitable as pets. They should not be kept alone, require a lot of space, and need specific plants. Unlike dogs or cats, they cannot be tamed and will kick strongly when threatened.
Reproduction
Gestation, Birth, and Time in the Pouch
Wallabies have a very short gestation period for a mammal, lasting only 28-35 days. They give birth to a single baby that is very underdeveloped. It weighs just a few grams and immediately crawls from the birth canal into the pouch. There, it attaches to a teat to drink its mother's milk. It spends 6-9 months in the pouch until it is big enough to leave.
Diapause
Kangaroos have the ability known as diapause: The development of the embryo is paused or delayed for a certain period. This is beneficial! It allows the mother to ensure that her offspring are properly cared for at the right time. The dormancy can last up to 11 months (in the case of the derby wallaby). A wallaby can even be a triple mother if she has an embryo in dormancy, a joey in the pouch, and a young one that has already left the pouch. This is the case with the agile wallaby.
The Wallaby Is Related To:
- Hare-Wallabies
- Tree Kangaroo
- Quokka
- Rat-Kangaroo
- Rock Wallaby
- Swamp Wallaby
Animals in the Same Biome:
Sources:
- „Functionally mediated cranial allometry evidenced in a genus of rock-wallabies“ (https://royalsocietypublishing.org)
- „Parma wallabies: a history of translocations and reintroductions“ (https://meridian.allenpress.com)
