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ANIMAL SPECIES:Swamp Wallaby

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The Swamp Wallaby is not as common in Sydney as it once was, but can still be found in a few places in its preferred habitat of thick forest undergrowth or sandstone heath.

Alternative Name/s

Black Wallaby

Identification

This small, stocky wallaby has dark brown fur, often with lighter rusty patches on the belly, chest and base of the ears.

Size range

66 cm - 85 cm

Distribution

The Swamp Wallaby lives in eastern Australia, in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and south-eastern South Australia. Introduced in New Zealand.

Habitat

The preferred habitat of the Swamp Wallaby is thick forest undergrowth or sandstone heath.

Behaviour and adaptations

Feeding and Diet

The Swamp Wallaby feeds on a variety of plants including introduced and native shrubs, grasses and ferns.

Life cycle

Like many marsupials, female Swamp Wallabies can suckle two joeys of different ages. The pouch life of each joey is eight to nine months, although they may continue to suckle until 15 months of age.

Mating and reproduction

Breeding occurs throughout the year in Swamp Wallabies.

Classification

Species:
bicolor
Genus:
Wallabia
Family:
Macropodidae
Order:
Diprotodontia
Subclass:
Marsupialia
Class:
Mammalia
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?


Last Updated: 13 May 2009

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Swamp Wallaby

Swamp Wallaby View full size
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