Binghamton Zoo Animals

Bennett's Wallaby

(Macropus rufogriseus)
Order: Marsupialia
Family: Macropodidae
Genus: Macropus
Species: Macropus rufogriseus

HABITAT AND RANGE: The Bennett’s Wallaby is found in the woodlands and some grasslands of Tasmania, the islands in the Bass Strait, and coastal areas along the southeastern coast of Australia.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: The Bennett's Wallaby, the most common Wallaby in the United States, is a medium-sized animal that goes by a variety of different names. Among these are Red-Necked Wallaby, Brush Wallaby, Eastern Brush Wallaby, Brush Kangaroo, Brusher, and Red Wallaby. The Bennett's Wallaby is quite an attractive animal. They stand about 24 to 30 inches in height and weigh between 30 and 50 pounds. Males are somewhat larger than females. They have grayish-brown fur with a patch of reddish-brown on the neck and shoulder. Their paws are darker in color then the rest of their bodies, and they have a white stripe on their lips.

ADAPTATIONS: Bennett's wallabies may be seen feeding together, but usually do not form permanent social groups. The Bennett's wallaby is one of the most nocturnal of the kangaroo and wallaby species. The wallaby has a long, tapering tail used for balance when jumping, their hind feet being narrow and long also help during locomotion. They also have peripheral vision, as well as a keen sense of smell. Their large ears aid in their acute hearing, as well as used for heat dispersal. The wallaby’s small front paws are used like hands for feeding, and their hind legs and tail act as a tripod (3 legged support, when sitting).

DIET: They are grazing animals and usually prefer to graze in open plains where they can see predators coming, although they do venture into wooded areas to find young leaves with which they supplement their diet. Although they are content with a diet of grass and leaves in the wild, in captivity they usually eat grain and guinea pig pellets, and enjoy fruits such as apples and bananas and vegetables including carrots and sweet potatoes.

REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT: Like most marsupials, the lifecycle of the Bennett's Wallaby is quite interesting. They usually give birth in February and March, and always have only one baby. The Bennett's Wallaby is unique, because it is capable of halting the growth of an embryo; if an egg is fertilized before a baby, or "joey," is out of its mother's pouch, the female Wallaby can slow the growth of the embryo. Joeys are born after a gestation period of only a few weeks, when they are not yet fully formed. After birth, they crawl into their mother's pouch where they suckle for five to eleven months, until they are mature. The rate of growth of the Joey depends on the mother's diet: the better the mother's diet, the more nutritious her milk and the faster the baby grows. Bennett's Wallabies are, unlike many other species of wallaby, fairly social animals. They live in groups called mobs, which are slightly smaller in number then those of kangaroos. The wallaby’s lifespan is about 15 years in captivity.

STATUS IN WILD: The Bennett’s Wallaby is currently listed as stable. However, other species of kangaroos, wallabies, and wallaroo are listed as endangered.