Animal Gallery
Red-necked Wallaby |
||
) + Enlarge ) + Enlarge |
Red-necked Wallabies are the largest species of Wallaby are easily mistaken for a Kangaroo. They are usually solitary animals, but may forage in groups of up to 30 individuals.
Wallabies don’t just have strong legs; they also have the unique ability to store energy in their tendons. As a result, most of the energy required for each hop is provided for “free” by the spring action of the tendons rather than muscular effort. Increased speed actually requires very little effort, unlike in other mammals. After a young Wallaby, called a Joey, is born it will spend approximately 280 days in its mother’s pouch and will nurse until 12-17 months old. In the past, Red-necked Wallabies were hunted for their fur and meat. They were also persecuted by ranchers who claimed the Wallabies competed with cattle and sheep for grass. However, population numbers have recovered in recent years and they are now common in most parts of their range. |
Did you know?
During hot, dry weather these Wallabies will lick their paws and forelimbs as their blood vessels are very close to the skin surface so body heat can be dissipated. At the Zoo -
We have eight Red-Necked Wallabies, 3 were born in 2008. |
