Short-eared rock-wallaby

Short-eared rock wallaby ( Petrogale brachyotis )

The short-eared rock wallaby ( Petrogale brachyotis ) is a pouch species from the family of kangaroos ( Macropodidae ).

Features

Short-eared rock kangaroos reach a total length of 83-107 centimeters, of which almost half of the tail, and a weight of 4 to 5 kg. The coloring of their fur is variable, in the west of its range it is rather light gray, dark gray or brownish in the east, sometimes with whitish stripes. The tail ends in a bushy tassel, eponymous feature is the short compared with other rock kangaroos ears. The long and powerful hind legs are equipped with bales, providing stability in the rocky terrain.

Dissemination and lifestyle

These kangaroos are native to northern Australia, their range includes both the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia and the northern part of the Northern Territory, including offshore islands such as Groote Eylandt. Their habitat is rocky areas, often near savannas or forests.

They are nocturnal, during the day they sleep in rock crevices or caves, sometimes they are, however, observed while sunbathing. At night, they go in search of food, while they take mainly grasses to himself.

Little is known about reproduction. Probably comes after a 30 - day gestation, a single young is born that spends its first six to seven months of life in the mother's pouch.

Endangering

Short-eared rock kangaroos are territorial as relatively common in other regions, such as the southern part of its range in the Northern Territory, disappeared. Overall, the species is not endangered according to IUCN.