The Red-Necked Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus) is a medium-sized macropod marsupial mammal. Macropod means big feet, and a marsupial mammal has a pouch for its baby. It is also known as the Bennett’s Wallaby.
The Red-Necked Wallaby is a stocky marsupial with reddish fur on its neck and shoulders, a black nose, a flat tail, two big hind (back) feet, black paws, and a white stripe on its upper lip. The rest of its body has soft grey fur.
It measures about 90 centimetres (35 inches) in length.
The Red-Necked Wallaby is native to Tasmania in Australia. It prefers coastal scrublands and forests.
It is generally solitary, but it will gather with other individuals to feed. It is mainly nocturnal, feeding at night. It feeds on grass, roots, leaves, and weeds.
The female has a front pouch in which her young are protected. Her baby is called a joey, whether it is a boy or a girl. The joey stays in the pouch for about 280 days. When the joey leaves the pouch, several mothers and fathers look after it. This is called alloparenting.
Red-necked wallabies may live up to 9 years.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM