Zagreb Zoo

Names of our animals: /

Classification
Class: mammals (Mammalia)
Order: Diprotodontia
Family: kangaroos (Macropodidae)

Description
Body length: females 65.9 do 83.7 cm, males 71.2 - 92.3 cm; tail length: females 62.3 - 79 cm, males 69.1 - 87.6 cm; height 75 - 80 cm, weight: females 11 - 15.5 kg, males 15 - 26.8 kg.

Distribution
Eastern Australia, Tasmania, imported to New Zealand.

Habitat
Shrubs and eucalypt forests.

Diet
In the wild: grass and leafy herbs.
In captivity: hey, grass, tree branches with leaves, fruit, vegetables, bread and cornmeal.

Reproduction
After the gestation period of 30 days, the female gives birth to undeveloped young that weighs about 1 gram. The newborn climbs into the mother's pouch and continues the development for the next 280 days. Only after growing fur and opening its eyes, the youngster starts to get out of the pouch and explore the world, but at the slightest signal of danger climbs back into it. Females reach sexual maturity after 12- 14 months, and males at 19 months old.

Behaviour
Red-necked wallabies are mostly solitary, but may sometimes form groups of up to 30 individuals. They are active at dawn and at dusk, and rest in shade during the day. In captivity, they are active during the day. They move by hopping along on their long hind legs, and use their long, powerful tail for balance.

Predators
Dingoes.

Life span
In the wild up to 12 – 15 years.
In captivity up to 28 years.

Conservation Status
Not an endangered species.
IUCN category: LR/lc (low risk / least concern)

Interesting facts
►During exceptionally long days, or elevated body temperature due to stress, red-necked walabies cool off by licking their front paws and forearms.
► There are 2 subspecies of this wallaby, and the subspecies that lives in Tasmania is called Bennett's Wallaby.

Links
Kangaroos & wallabies
Wallaby hotlinks

Adopted by
     Ivana Pavlinić
     Antonio Večerin