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The Agile
Wallaby's official scientific name is
macropus agilis.
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Agile wallabies are members of the macropod
family. "Macropod" in Latin means literally
"big foot".
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They are the most common macropod species in
Tropical coastal Australia. Their
distribution ranges from North Western
Australia, across the top of the Northern
Territory and down the Queensland coast to
near Bundaberg.
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Adult males can reach up to 1.4 - 1.6 metres
tall and weigh about 27-30kg. Females are
much smaller, averaging about 1.2 metres
tall and up to 15kg in weight.
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Agile wallabies are social animals and
gather in
groups called mobs. They are very
wary creatures and can be easily startled.
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Being herbivorous, Agile wallabies eat
a
wide range of plants including native
grasses, leaves, fallen fruit and plant
shoots.
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Like many Australian marsupials, female
wallabies have pouches where they carry
their young (Joeys) for about 7-8 months.
Even after leaving the pouch, the Joey will
stay very close to its mother until about 12
months old.
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Agile wallabies breed year round and it is
possible for a female to have one Joey in
the pouch whilst an older sibling, who has
left the pouch, stays close by.
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Agile wallabies have
exceptionally long forearms, compared to other members of the
macropod family. Their paws are also
surprisingly dexterous, so they can handle
objects similar to how humans use our hands!
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They are very curious
animals and often display a unique
problem solving ability.
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The main difference between wallabies and
kangaroos is their size!
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Wallabies
and kangaroos account for a large percentage
of all wildlife killed on roads in
Tropical North Queensland.
Did you Know?