Agile Wallaby

Macropus agilis

[Translate to English:] Ein Flinkwallaby. IUCN Red List endangerment category: Least concern
  • Family
    Kangaroos (Macropodidae)
  • Weight
    ♀: 9 – 15 kg, ♂: 15 – 30 kg
  • Habitat
    Forests, deserts, bushlands, savannahs

Adapted to lack of water

The agile wallaby is adapted to survival in dry environments where water is scarce. It obtains most of its water requirements from eating leaves, grasses, fl owers, unripe fruits, bark and seeds. During the dry season, it digs into the soil to unearth moisture-laden roots. The agile wallaby also excavates dry water holes or creeks in search of water rather than risk drinking from a river where crocodiles lurk.

The picture shows an agile wallaby sitting upright and looking into the camera.

Large family

The agile wallaby belongs to the kangaroo family with 13 genera, 59 species and at least 88 subspecies. Kangaroos are only found in Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania. Their isolation from the rest of the mainland and the absence of large carnivores have seen the marsupials continue to evolutionarily split, which may lead to greater biodiversity.

The agile wallaby uses its tail not only for balance. The “fifth leg” generates as much spring power as the front and hind limbs combined.

Distribution

Verbreitungskarte Flinkwallaby