Wallabies
The species of wallabies that are brought to Kangaroo House are generally the following:
Pretty-face or Whiptail Wallaby
Macropus parryi
The Pretty-faced Wallaby is distinguished by its paler colouring and white stripe under its face. It is a sociable species, sometimes coming together in mobs of up to 50. It is neither diurnal nor nocturnal, being active at any time of day or night. The Pretty-faced Wallaby feeds on grasses and ferns.
Agile or Sandy Wallaby
Macropus agilis
The Agile Wallaby, as its alternative name implies, is a sandy colour becoming paler below. It is a sociable animal and grazes on grasses and other plants.
There are four subspecies of the Agile Wallaby:
- M. a. agilis – Northern Territory
- M. a. jardinii – northern and eastern coasts of Queensland
- M. a. nigrescens – Kimberley and Arnhem Land, Western Australia
- M. a. papuanus – southern Papua New Guinea and neighbouring islands
Black-striped or Scrub Wallaby
Macropus dorsalis
The Black-striped Wallaby resembles the mainland race of the Red-necked Wallaby, differing in the black line down its back, a white stripe over the hip and more red colouration extending down the arms and abdomen. It is a shy, nocturnal grazer and is not well-known owing to its preference for thick scrub, where it may easily be hidden.