Bennett’s Wallaby
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Bennett’s Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus) Height Up to 3 feet Weight 33 to 59 pounds; females: 24 to 34 pounds Distribution Tasmania and Bass Strait Islands (Australia) Status in the Wild They have a stable population in their range. However, they are sometimes killed as an agricultural pest and are hunted for their meat. Habitat Coastal areas, woodlands, and grasslands Description Males are larger than females—their shoulders and arms are wider and longer, and they grow approximately twice as fast as females. Females are generally lighter in color than males. They have coarse, thick, tawny-gray fur on the body, and the fur on the nape of the neck and shoulders is reddish. They have muscular hind legs and tails that they use for balance while hopping or as a “third leg” while sitting. Females have a well-developed frontal pouch for carrying developing young. Their muzzles, paws, and largest toes are black, and they have a white stripe on their upper lips. They have large ears that can move 180° and can act as a signaling form of communication with other wallabies. Their vocal chords are underdeveloped, and they make a variety of sounds. Their eyes are located high on their head, enabling them to have a wide field of vision of approximately 324°. Their sense of smell is extremely acute. Behavior Bennett’s wallabies are primarily crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn). They can jump 4 to 6 feet high and propel themselves at speeds of up to 30 mph. Interesting Facts
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