Bennett's tree-kangaroo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bennett's tree-kangaroo |
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| Conservation status | |
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Dendrolagus
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| Species: |
bennettianus
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| Bennett's tree-kangaroo range | |
The Bennett's tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus bennettianus) is a fascinating and large type of tree-kangaroo. These amazing animals are known for their incredible agility. They can leap as far as 9 metres (30 ft) from one branch to another! They have even been seen dropping 18 metres (59 ft) to the ground without getting hurt.
Male Bennett's tree-kangaroos are quite big. They can weigh from 11.5 kg up to almost 14 kg (25 to 31 lbs). Females are a bit smaller, usually weighing between 8 to 10.6 kg (18 to 23 lb).
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What Does It Look Like?
Like other tree-kangaroos, the Bennett's tree-kangaroo looks a bit different from the kangaroos you might see hopping on the ground. They have longer front limbs and shorter back limbs. This helps them climb trees easily. They also have a long, bushy tail that helps them balance.
Their fur is mostly dark brown on top. Their chin, throat, and lower belly are a lighter fawn color. Their forehead and snout are greyish. Their feet and hands are black. The tail has a black patch near its base and a lighter patch higher up. Their ears are short and round.
Where Do They Live?
This tree-kangaroo is quite shy and hard to spot, which is why some people call it "elusive." It lives in the tropical rainforests of Queensland, Australia. You can find them in both mountain and lowland areas. Their home stretches from south of Cooktown to just north of the Daintree River. This area is about 70 by 50 km (43 by 31 mi).
Sometimes, they are also found in sclerophyll woodlands. They spend almost all their time in the trees.
What Do They Eat and Who Are Their Neighbors?
The Bennett's tree-kangaroo is a herbivore, which means it only eats plants. Its diet mainly consists of leaves from many different rainforest trees. They especially love the leaves of the umbrella tree (Heptapleurum actinophyllum). They also enjoy eating vines, ferns, and various wild fruits.
In the past, these kangaroos were sometimes hunted by Indigenous Australians for food. However, with changes in laws and conservation efforts, this practice has largely stopped. Their main natural predators today are large pythons and the dingo.
Protecting the Bennett's Tree-Kangaroo
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) currently lists the Bennett's tree-kangaroo as "near threatened." This means they could become endangered if we don't protect them. However, there's good news! Their numbers seem to be growing, and they are spreading into new areas. People are seeing them much more often now.
This increase in their population is likely because most of their habitat is now protected. It falls under World Heritage laws, which helps keep their rainforest homes safe. Also, as mentioned, they are no longer hunted by Indigenous Australians. Experts like Roger Martin and Lewis Roberts, who know a lot about this species, believe they should now be considered "secure." This means they are no longer at high risk.
