Australian Animals

Student Name: Sahil

Animal: Kangaroo

Common Name: Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby

Biological name: Petrogale Xanthopus

Description: The yellow-footed rock-wallaby is grey to fawn-grey above and light-coloured below with a black mid-dorsal stripe from the crown of the head to the centre of the back. There is a distinct white cheek stripe, with ears ranging in colour from orange to grey-brown. The forearms and hind legs are bright yellow to rich orange to a light orange-brown. The tail is orange-brown irregularly ringed with dark brown and golden-brown, with the colour of the tip variable from dark brown to white.

Habitat: Western New South Wales, eastern South Australia and isolated portions of Queensland.

Location: This species of rock-wallaby is found in western New South Wales, eastern South Australia and isolated portions of Queensland. It is not typically found near human habitation, instead preferring rough terrain and rock outcroppings.

Diet: Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby are grazers and browsers of grasses, forbs, herbs and low shrubs, switching with seasonal availability.

Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Interesting Facts: The yellow-footed rock wallaby moves easily around mountaintops, jumping as far as 13 feet (four meters) from rock to rock and even scaling cliffs and climbing trees. In the hot Australian summers, the wallaby is active only at night, while in the winter it can sometimes be seen sunbathing on the rocks.

Websites: kids.nationalgeographic.com