The Swamp Wallaby By Jake. V and Jake. F
| The Swamp Wallaby is found on the eastern coast of Australia and New Zealand and a lot of offshore
islands. They are often found in eucalypt forests or where there is a dense, moist undergrowth. These animals sole living species of the genus wallaby are always stay away from the other Kangaroos and Wallabies. These small stocky animals weigh 13 to 17 kg and sit around 70cm high on their haunches. Their fur is a dark brown all over, other than some lighter rusty patches that often mark their belly and chest. |
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The Swamp Wallaby eats herbs and plants. The Swamp wallabies search for food over 16 hectares. The Swamp Wallaby shelters in the day in places of dense vegetation, sleeping and feeding. Individuals may come in packs when resting. The Swamp Wallaby feeds day and night with short breaks. In daylight the swamp wallaby stays home to be safe from its predators which are dingoes, foxes and eagles. Dingoes are so good at hunting that they can interrupt the breeding process. |
| When the joey is born the mother wallaby licks a path way along her tummy for baby to climb up and attach it self to a teat. Females will replace lost joeys continuously through the year. Like the Red Kangaroo, Swamp Wallabies can hold the development of the embryo until the pouched joey hops out. The young will stay in the pouch for six to eight months. |
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Although it is a common inhabitant of the eastern forest coastline, little but not that much, is known about these wallabies that are Australia's only "Wallabia" species. |
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Fact File
Size: Head and Body length:785mm. Tail length: 770mm Weight: up to 16.4. The female are smaller and weigh less than the male Habitat: Dense moist under growth in forest woodland and heath through out Australia Found: Eastern coasts of Australia Relatives: Kangaroos Food: Herbs and plants Identification: Small, stocky, brown dark fur all over, though some lighter rusty patches marking their belly and chest |
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