Pretty Faced Wallaby

Description:

•‘Pretty’ delicate face with prominent white stripe and ear tips, plus white stripe on cheek. •Back fur uniformly light grey in winter; brownish-grey in summer, white below; prominent light grey hip stripe. •Long, slender, light grey tail with a dark tip •Tail much longer than body (male tail approx 95 cm; female about 80cm) •Medium size wallaby: adult male about 85cm long female smaller, about 70cm •Male adults weigh an average 16 kg; females around 11 kg

Habitat:

•Undulating or hilly terrain near the coast with eucalypt open forest or woodland with a grassy understorey •Partial clearing of forest for cattle grazing appears might have helped populations by increasing the extent of open grassy areas, while still retaining some degree of cover.

Notes:

Breeding : •Females mature at 18-24 months •Males do not mate until 2-3 years old because of competition in the mob •During courtship a group of males with a dominant male follow the female. The dominant male will keep other males away by chasing them and ritually pulling up grass while facing a rival. •Females breed throughout the year but peak October–March •Pouch life 9 months; young weaned at 15 months. Food : •Grasses and other herbaceous plants including ferns Behaviour : •Occurs in groups of up to 50 individuals of mixed age and sex •Partially day active especially early morning and late afternoon.