Wallabies
Wallabies are small animals with thick brownish fur and light grey fur on the stomach. They have a dark brown stripe from the head to the middle of the back. When hopping they remain close to the ground in an almost horizontal position with forearms tucked tightly against the body. The tail acts as a rudder when leaping and as a third leg when sitting. Wallabies also have a keen sense of hearing and eyesight. Ears can be individually rotated like a radar antenna. They have no sweat glands so they lick themselves, pant and lie on cool ground to get as much cooling effect as possible.
Wallabies are marsupials. The average pregnancy period for a wallaby is about five weeks at which time a single offspring is born and then enters the pouch. The newborn remains in the pouch for about 30 weeks and then the newborn starts to slowly live outside of the pouch after 10 to 14 more weeks.
RANGE: Areas of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales, Australia from the Watagan Mountains in the south to the Gibraltar Range in the north.
HABITAT: Forests with dense understory and grassy areas.
BEHAVIOR: Normally solitary although two grazing together is not uncommon. Takes cover in the shrubs during daytime.
DIET IN WILD: Herbivore.
DIET IN ZOO: Grass and commercial herbivore pellets.