Tammar Wallaby

(Macropus eugenii) - L'Isle Eugene (as first collected on this island West of Ceduna), with large feet.

Distribution

Believed to be extinct on the South Australian mainland and survives on offshore islands and on mainland WA. It is extremely common on Kangaroo Island. This indicates how important Kangaroo Island is in preserving Tammar Wallabies. http://au.geocities.com/daveclarkecb/GalKangaroo Island.html

Habitat

Cool-temperate dry sclerophyll to semi-arid woodland and shrubland with grassy understorey or adjacent grassy areas (eg. farmland).

Size

Head & Body: 52-68cm; Tail: 33-45cm

Diet

Grasses, leaves and roots. May also eat some berries and fruits.

Breeding

It shows a strict seasonal breeding pattern. Most young are born between January to March, and within a few hours of giving birth the female mates. The resulting embryo remains quiescent (dormant) until mid-December, and the young enter the pouch about 40 days later. The offspring are suckled in the pouch for 8-9 months. Females become mature (ie. able to breed) at about 9 months (with most carrying a young in their pouch by the end of the breeding season), and males become mature after 2 years. It is rare to have twins, normally only one offspring per breeding cycle.

Identification:

Dark grey-brown fur flecked with light grey and reddish-brown patches on sides and limbs. Large hind legs and tail, with large ears and a black nose.

General Info:

Once common on the mainland in South and Western Australia, their rapid demise in population is largely due to a loss of the dense habitat it requires through land clearance and through the predation of introduced foxes and cats.

It is abundant on Kangaroo Island due to the absence of foxes and increased grassy grazing areas. Tammar Wallabies on Kangaroo Island represent the largest remaining natural population of this species.

Wild Guide

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Kangaroo Island Travel Guide

Contents