Wallaby Facts

Did you Know?

• The Agile Wallaby's official scientific name is macropus agilis.

• Agile wallabies are members of the macropod family. "Macropod" in Latin means literally "big foot".

• 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.

• 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.

• Agile wallabies are social animals and gather in groups called mobs. They are very wary creatures and can be easily startled.

• Being herbivorous, Agile wallabies eat a wide range of plants including native grasses, leaves, fallen fruit and plant shoots.

• 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.

• 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.

• Agile wallabies' forearms are exceptionally long, 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! On occasion, wallabies can display a unique problem solving ability.

• The main difference between wallabies and kangaroos is their size!

• Wallabies and kangaroos account for a large percentage of all wildlife killed on roads in Tropical North Queensland.

Whilst this site deals primarily with Agile wallabies, which are the most common species injured in our area, we have also cared for many other macropod species including Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Wallaroos and Whiptail wallabies.