Did
you know?
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.
7. Most fatalities are caused by either
motor vehicles or dog attack.
8. 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. |