NORTHERN NAIL-TAIL WALLABY

The Northern nail-tail wallaby, also known as the crescent nail-tail wallaby, is a small marsupial and a member of the kangaroo family (Macropodidae). It has a compact body with long hind legs, a long tail with a distinctive crescent-shaped cartilaginous spur at the tip (hence the name “nail-tail”), and a short snout. The fur coloration can vary, but it is typically reddish-brown to greyish-brown on the back and lighter on the underside. The average adult size is around 45-55 cm in length, and they weigh between 2-4 kilograms.

The Northern nail-tail wallaby is endemic to Australia and is found in a limited range in central and northern Queensland. Its habitat consists of open grasslands, woodlands, shrublands, and savannas with a mix of grasses and low vegetation. They have specific habitat requirements and are usually associated with areas that have a good combination of food resources and cover.

Northern nail-tail wallabies are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the night and early morning. They are generally solitary animals, although they may form small groups or pairs. They are agile and swift runners, capable of covering long distances with their powerful hind legs. Similar to other nail-tail wallabies, they possess a cartilaginous spur on the tail, which is believed to play a role in communication and social interactions.

The diet of Northern nail-tail wallabies consists mainly of grasses, herbs, and other vegetation. They are selective feeders, preferring the most nutritious parts of plants. They use their specialized teeth to efficiently process and consume plant material.

Female Northern nail-tail wallabies have a well-developed pouch in which they carry and nurse their young, called joeys. After a gestation period of around 30-35 days, a tiny, undeveloped joey is born. The joey climbs into the pouch, where it continues to develop and nurse from its mother for several months before gradually spending more time outside the pouch.

 They have experienced population declines and range contractions due to habitat loss, changes in fire regimes, competition with introduced herbivores, and predation by introduced predators such as dogs, cats and foxes. .