|
|
|
 |
Did you know
Here are some interesting stories about some of the species that we receive in to care. Simply click on the link to show the story. |
Agile Wallaby (Macropus agilis) |
|
1. This species is a large wallaby, usually light brown in colour with a white chest. They have light stripes on their thighs and cheeks and a darker one on their forehead.
2. Agile wallabies are very adaptable, but are generally found in grassland, which is their main diet.
3. Males are significantly larger than females weighing up to 20Kg and standing over 1 metre tall. Females average 75cm tall and weigh around 11-15Kg.
4. Joeys stay in Mum's pouch for 7-8 months and then will follow their mother (called a Joey at foot) for another 12 months before becoming fully independent.
5. Females have the ability to have a "reserve" embryo in stasis which will develop once her pouch is vacant. 6. Female Agile wallabies can have up to 3 offspring at one time - a Joey at foot, a Joey in the pouch and an embryo in stasis. They can produce two different types of milk to feed Joeys at different stages.
6. Most fatalities are caused by either motor vehicles or dog attack.
7. Females wallabies have been known to "throw" their Joeys from the pouch if they are being pursued or feel threatened. This is a defence mechanism designed to ensure their own survival by sacrificing a Joey. |
 |
Bats & Flying Foxes (General)
Bats and Flying Foxes are similar to humans in that they are placental mammals. This means that they do not have pouches like marsupials and give birth to well developed young (pups). The young hang on to their mother with their mouth wings and feet while Mum supports them with her wing.
There are two main species of bats:- |
|
Microbats - feed mainly on insects. They are smaller than flying foxes and have very small eyes. Megabats - feed on fruit and nectar. They are larger in size and have large eyes.
Habitat
Flying Foxes and bats are common in Tropical North Queensland. Some species are solitary whilst others (like Flying Foxes) roost in colonies during the day and forage for food at night.
Diet
Microbats feed on insects which they locate using their sonar. Flying Foxes feed on nectar, fruits, both native and introduced i.e. mangoes. During mango season, the noisy "squabbles" of flying foxes can be heard in suburbia as they feed on the mangoes. |
 |
|
1. Australia has 56 different species of Kangaroos & Wallabies (6 species already extinct)
2. They vary in size from the massive Red Kangaroo down to the Monjon Rock Wallaby.
3. Kangaroos and wallabies are referred to as "Macropods", which literally means "big foot". They have been aptly named considering the average size of their feet!
4. In Tropical North Queensland, the main species that we come into contact with include -
• Agile Wallaby (Macropus agilis)
• Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)
• Whiptail Wallaby (Macropus parryi)
• Common Wallaroo (Macropus robustus)
• Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
• Red legged Pademelon (Thylogale stigmatica stigmatica) |
 |
|
5. Joeys have been known to live for up to 10 days in their dead mother's pouch. That's why it is very important to ensure that you always check any pouches of injured or dead macropods.
6. All orphaned Joeys require specialist care which includes specialised diets, set feeding routines, toileting after each feed and adequate "pouching". Pinky Joeys also need to be kept at a constant temperature of around 32° Celcius.
7. Under no circumstances should orphaned Joeys be fed on cow's milk or supplements containing lactose. Macropods are lactose intolerant and prolonged feeding using products containing lactose can cause blindness. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
