Brown forest wallaby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brown dorcopsis |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dorcopsis
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| Species: |
muelleri
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| Where the brown dorcopsis lives | |
The brown dorcopsis (Dorcopsis muelleri), also called the brown forest wallaby, is a type of marsupial. Marsupials are animals that carry their babies in a pouch, like kangaroos. This animal belongs to the Macropodidae family, which includes kangaroos and wallabies.
The brown dorcopsis lives only in a specific area. It is found in the lowlands of West New Guinea and on nearby Indonesian islands. These islands include Misool, Salawati, and Yapen.
Contents
What Does the Brown Dorcopsis Look Like?
There are five slightly different types, or subspecies, of the brown dorcopsis. Their fur can be dull brown, chocolate brown, reddish brown, or fawn (a light yellowish-brown). Their belly and underside are usually whitish, creamy-yellow, or greyish.
Sometimes, their arms are a lighter color than their back. The very tip of their tail does not have any hair.
Where Does the Brown Dorcopsis Live?
The brown dorcopsis lives only in the western part of New Guinea. It also lives on islands just west of New Guinea, such as Misool and Salawati. It might also be found on Batanta and Waigeo islands.
Their favorite home is swampy tropical lowland forests. This includes areas that get flooded during the rainy season. They can also live in forests that have grown back after being cut down, like old gardens.
Ancient Hunters and the Brown Dorcopsis
Scientists have found many bones of the brown dorcopsis in caves. These caves were used by ancient hunters for about 26,000 years in western New Guinea.
A surprising 80% of all the animal bones found belonged to the brown dorcopsis! Local people called this animal "djief." Because of this, the people who lived in these caves long ago are now known as "djief hunters." This shows how important the brown dorcopsis was for their survival.
Is the Brown Dorcopsis Safe?
The brown dorcopsis lives across a wide area. It is quite common in the southern coastal parts of its home. However, it is less common in the middle of the Vogelkop Peninsula. Overall, the number of these animals seems to be steady.
Many parts of their habitat do not have humans living there. But they can also be found near towns and villages. Their forest homes can be affected by logging (cutting down trees), especially on Yapen Island. Forests are also cleared for small-scale agriculture, which means growing crops on small farms.
People do hunt the brown dorcopsis for food. However, these activities are not a big threat to the species as a whole. Because of this, the IUCN says the brown dorcopsis is of "Least concern". This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
See also
- In Spanish: Dorcosis marrón para niños
Images for kids
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Where the brown dorcopsis lives
