Dusky pademelon

Thylogale brunii, drawing by John Gould

Thylogale brunii is a Känguruart from the kind of Filander ( Thylogale ). Together with Thylogale browni, Thylogale calabyi and Thylogale lanatus it was previously combined as Guinea - Filander.

These animals are relatively small representative of the kangaroos with a stocky build. As with most kangaroos, the hind legs are longer than the front legs, the tail is hairy relatively short and sparse. The coat is colored in a dark gray-brown, the underside is much brighter. On the face and hips white streaks are present.

Thylogale brunii lives in the south of the island of New Guinea and on the offshore islands Kai and Aru Islands, the stocks on these islands are, however, possibly due to human settlements. Previously, the type also occurred in southeastern New Guinea, in the region around Port Moresby, the stocks are there but extinguished. Habitat of these animals are predominantly rain forests and rainforest - savanna mixed areas.

Little is known about the habits of these animals. They are nocturnal and sleep during the day in dense undergrowth hidden. At night, they go in search of food, where they often reside on grassy areas near the forest edge. They are herbivores, take the grasses and leaves to him.

Area is way Thylogale brunii strongly hunted for its flesh with dogs. This hunting led to the disappearance of animals from the south-eastern New Guinea, and elsewhere are in decline. The IUCN estimates that the total population will decline by 30 % over the next 15 to 20 years and lists the species as "endangered" ( vulnerable ).