Red-necked Wallaby

Common Name:

Red-necked Wallaby

Scientific Name:

Macropus rufogriseus

Family:

Macropodidae

Colour:

There are two forms of the Red-necked Wallaby. The mainland form, Macropus rufogriseus banksianus is grizzled grey to reddish above and white or pale grey below. The female is more pale in colour. Its muzzle and paws are black. The Tasmanian form, Bennett's Wallaby, Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus is dark grey above, more pale below, with a brown neck.

Form:

A small, stocky kangaroo. The Tasmanian form, Bennett's wallaby, appears to be more wooly.

Distribution:

Ranges down the east coast of Australia from eastern Queensland, through eastern New South Wales and Victoria and south-eastern South Australia to Tasmania.

Habitat:

The Red-necked Wallaby is found in woodland and coastal scrub whre it seems to prefer forest edges and farmland.

Nests:

Red-necked Wallabies do not use a nest, but they camp in thick scrub or under logs.

Food:

Red-necked Wallabies eat grasses, and Casuarina foliage.

Predators:

None.

Human Influence:

The Red-necked Wallaby has been introduced into New Zealand where it is a major problem pest.

Abundance:

The Red-necked Wallaby is common to abundant.

Features:

The Red-necked wallaby is nocturnal, coming out at night to feed. It is mostly solitary but may form grazing groups. The mainland and Tasmanian forms have different breeding patterns.

Measurements:

Male Measurements		Female Measurements
Male head-body length:	82.3 cm	Female head-body length:	77.2 cm
Male tail length:	79.7 cm	Female tail length:	72 cm
Male weight:	18.6 kg	Female weight:	13.8 kg

Breeding:

Oestrus Cycle:	polyoestrous	Size of Litter:	1
Season:	all year	Suckling Period:	400 days
Gestation:	30 days	Sexual maturity:	15 months
		Embryo delay:	yes

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Wallabies and Kangaroos

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Keith Davey Photo-Graphic -- keithdavey.com.au Red-necked Wallaby Macropus rufogriseus banksianus

Keith Davey Photo-Graphic --
keithdavey.com.au
Red-necked Wallaby
Macropus rufogriseus banksianus