Wallaby: A Little Kangaroo To Be Discovered

The wallaby is a mammal that is part of the order of Diprotodontia , the same to which the kangaroo belongs. Although they are therefore related, this marsupial has very particular characteristics of its own. Most importantly, it is much smaller in size than its more famous Australian cousin.

There are around 30 wallaby species that have been classified under this name. In this article we will reveal everything there is to know about this cute mammal that few people know.

Physical characteristics of the wallaby

The wallaby is a small animal. It measures between 70 and 90 centimeters not counting the tail, which is about 70 centimeters. Its weight varies between 25 and 35 kilograms and the males are larger than the females. However, it must be said that dimensions and weight may vary depending on the geographical position.

Its coat is usually black, gray, brown or white. The front of the body is white, while its ears, eyes and legs are darker and its head shows an elongated shape. Like all marsupials, the female has a “bag” that is used to carry the cubs.

The wallaby’s hind limbs are very large and have four toes. Thanks to these huge legs it can jump great distances and hit a possible enemy. The front ones are much shorter and have five toes, with powerful claws.

The wallaby has a surprisingly long tail, which helps it stay balanced when moving. It has a very distinctive stomach, as it contains multiple compartments where fermentation takes place.

Lifestyle of the wallaby

This marsupial is a shy and very curious animal. He is usually very suspicious and has a docile personality. In general, it is not aggressive, but if it feels threatened it can kick hard with its hind legs.

Its habitat natural are the savannahs, mountain and rocky areas and the jungle. It is found mainly in Australia, and to a lesser extent in Tasmania and New Guinea. The wallaby usually sleeps more during the day, especially in the hottest hours, and goes out to feed at night.

Most wallaby species are very social and live in groups. In the dry season, the specimens gather around the same water source. In case of danger, they seek refuge and hide.  If they have to defend themselves, they will fight relentlessly.

It is a very expressive and sensitive animal, on an emotional level. She can show a lot of pain in certain situations, for example if she loses her young. In case of danger, it warns its companions by making a noise with its hind legs or tail.

What does the wallaby eat?

The wallaby is primarily herbivorous. Its diet is based on fruits, leaves, herbs, roots, vegetables and even small bushes. The natural environment in which he lives usually does not have a lot of water, so he is forced to travel long distances to drink. Hydration also occurs through the food you ingest.

In some regions, these animals feed near urban areas. They have become a real plague, because they destroy crops persistently.

Reproduction

Mating occurs from one year of age and occurs between December and February. The gestation period lasts 30 days and, in general, only one puppy is born at a time.

As soon as they are born, the young wallabies are totally defenseless and immediately seek their mother’s “bag” to protect themselves. They will remain there for a maximum period of seven months. Then they will begin to gradually come out, returning to the bag in the face of possible threats.

The mother and the baby develop a very strong bond. He even allows his older children to stay by his side, even if they have other newborn babies. The female organism is capable of producing two types of milk, one for newborns and another for young specimens.

Differences between wallaby and kangaroo

Although many people confuse these two animals and think that the wallaby is nothing more than a small kangaroo, on the contrary they are two animals with different characteristics.

The legs of the kangaroo are longer and the teeth are different. The wallaby’s coat color is more vivid and has different shades, while the kangaroo is more uniform.

Finally, kangaroos live much longer (20-25 years compared to 11-15 years of the wallaby). Even at first glance, it’s easy to tell them apart: wallabies are smaller in size than kangaroos.