Wallaby


A wallaby is a small or middle-sized macropod native to Australia and New Guinea, with introduced populations in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and other countries. They belong to the same taxonomic family as kangaroos and sometimes the same genus, but kangaroos are specifically categorised into the four largest species of the family. The term "wallaby" is an informal designation generally used for any macropod that is smaller than a kangaroo or a wallaroo that has not been designated otherwise.
There are nine species of brush wallabies. Their head and body length is and the tail is long. The 16 named species of rock-wallabies live among rocks, usually near water; two species in this genus are endangered. The two living species of hare-wallabies are small animals that have the movements and some of the habits of hares. The three species of nail-tail wallabies have one notable feature: a horny spur at the tip of the tail; its function is unknown. Often called "pademelons", the seven species of scrub wallabies of New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and Tasmania are small and stocky, with short hind limbs and pointed noses. The swamp wallaby is the only species in its genus.
Another wallaby that is the only species in its genus is the quokka or short-tailed scrub wallaby ; this species is now restricted to two offshore islands of Western Australia which are free of introduced predators. The seven species of forest wallabies and Dorcopsulus ) are all native to the island of New Guinea. One of the brush wallaby species, the dwarf wallaby, native to New Guinea, is the smallest known wallaby and the smallest known species of the kangaroo family. Its length is about from the nose to the end of the tail, and it weighs about.
Wallabies are hunted for meat and fur.

Etymology and terminology

The name wallaby comes from Dharug walabi or waliba. Another early name for the wallaby, in use from at least 1802, was the brush-kangaroo.
Young wallabies are referred to as "joeys", like many other marsupials. Adult male wallabies are referred to as "bucks", "boomers", or "jacks". Adult female wallabies are referred to as "does", "flyers", or "jills". A group of wallabies is called a "mob", "court", or "troupe". Forest-dwelling wallabies are known as "pademelons" and "dorcopsises".

General description

Although members of most wallaby species are small, some can grow up to approximately two metres in length. Their powerful hind legs are not only used for bounding at high speeds and jumping great heights, but also to administer vigorous kicks to fend off potential predators. The tammar wallaby has elastic storage in the ankle extensor tendons, without which the animal's metabolic rate might be 30–50% greater. It has also been found that the design of spring-like tendon energy savings and economical muscle force generation is key for the two distal muscle–tendon units of the tammar wallaby. Wallabies also have a powerful tail that is used mostly for balance and support.

Diet

Wallabies are herbivores whose diet consists of a wide range of grasses, vegetables, leaves and other foliage. Due to recent urbanization, many wallabies now feed in rural and urban areas. Wallabies cover vast distances for food and water, which is often scarce in their environment. Mobs of wallabies often congregate around the same water hole during the dry season.

Threats

Wallabies face several threats. Dingoes, domestic and feral dogs, red foxes, and feral cats are among their predators. Humans also pose a significant threat to wallabies due to increased interaction. Many wallabies have been involved in vehicular accidents as they often feed near roads and urban areas.

Classification

Wallabies are not a distinct genetic group. Nevertheless, they fall into several broad categories. Typical wallabies of the genus Macropus, like the agile wallaby and the red-necked wallaby, are most closely related to the kangaroos and wallaroos and, aside from size, look very similar. These are the ones most frequently seen, particularly in the southern states.
joey in a pouch
Rock-wallabies, rather like the goats of the Northern Hemisphere, specialise in rugged terrain and have modified feet adapted to grip rock with skin friction rather than dig into soil with large claws. There are at least 15 species and the relationship between several of them is poorly understood. Several species are endangered. Captive rock-wallaby breeding programs, like the one at Healesville Sanctuary, have had some success and a small number have recently been released into the wild.
The banded hare-wallaby is thought to be the last remaining member of the once numerous subfamily Sthenurinae, and although once common across southern Australia, it is now restricted to two islands off the Western Australian coast which are free of introduced predators. It is not as closely related to the other hare-wallabies as the hare-wallabies are to the other wallabies.
New Guinea, which was until fairly recent geological times part of mainland Australia, has at least five species of wallabies.

Natural range and habitat

Wallabies are widely distributed across Australia, particularly in more remote, heavily timbered, or rugged areas, less so on the great semi-arid plains that are better suited to the larger, leaner, and more fleet-footed kangaroos. They also can be found on the island of New Guinea.

Introduced populations

Wallabies of several species have been introduced to other parts of the world, and there are a number of breeding introduced populations, including:
The term "wallaby" is not well defined and can mean any macropod of moderate or small size. Therefore, the listing below is arbitrary and taken from the complete list of macropods.
Genus Macropus, subgenus Protemnodon
Genus Petrogale
Genus Lagostrophus
Genus Dorcopsis
Genus Onychogalea
Genus Thylogale
Genus Dorcopsulus
Genus Wallabia
Genus Setonix