Calaby's pademelon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calaby's pademelon |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thylogale
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| Species: |
calabyi
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| Calaby's pademelon range (brown — extant, orange — possibly extinct) |
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The Calaby's pademelon (Thylogale calabyi) is a small marsupial that lives in Papua New Guinea. It is sometimes called the alpine wallaby. This animal is part of the Macropodidae family, which includes kangaroos and wallabies.
Calaby's pademelon prefers to live in thick forests and eats leaves and grasses. It can live for about 6 years in the wild. After a 30-day pregnancy, baby pademelons stay in their mother's pouch for about six months. They become adults at 14–15 months old.
This pademelon is one of the most endangered species. This is mainly because its home is being destroyed. Humans also hunt them and cut down forests. Because of these threats, Calaby's pademelon is listed as endangered. Efforts are being made to protect them, like creating special conservation areas.
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What is a Calaby's Pademelon?
Pademelons are small marsupials from the Thylogale group. They are some of the smallest animals in the Macropodidae family. The word 'macropod' means 'big foot,' which describes many animals in this family. These animals usually have strong hind legs, large feet, and long tails for balance.
How to Spot a Calaby's Pademelon
Pademelons look a lot like small wallabies. You can tell them apart by their shorter, thicker tails that don't have much hair. They move by hopping, just like wallabies.
Male Calaby's pademelons are bigger than females. Males can weigh about 7 kilograms (15 pounds), while females weigh around 4 kilograms (8 pounds). The total length of a pademelon, including its tail, is about 1 to 1.5 meters (3.28 to 4.92 feet). Males have strong chests and forearms.
Calaby's pademelon has soft, fine fur. It's dark brown or grey-brown on its back and reddish-brown or lighter brown on its belly.
Where Calaby's Pademelons Live
Calaby's pademelons live in dense forests. They also create tunnels through tall grasses and bushes in swampy areas. These animals are usually alone and are most active during the winter. In winter, they might gather in groups to eat or warm up in the sun.
Daily Life of a Pademelon
Pademelons are most active from late afternoon until dawn. During the day, they rest in shallow nests. These nests are made from dead plants, shell pieces, feathers, and small stones. They like to live on the edge of eucalyptus forests and stay close to the forest when they look for food at night.
What Calaby's Pademelons Eat
Calaby's pademelons eat fallen leaves, fresh leaves, ferns, orchids, grasses, and berries. Their short tail and compact body help them move easily through thick plants.
Pademelon Family Life
Pademelons can breed all year round. The mother is pregnant for 30 days. After birth, the baby, called a 'joey,' stays in the pouch for about six and a half months. The joey stops drinking milk from its mother around 7 or 8 months old. Right after giving birth, the mother can become pregnant again.
Calaby's pademelons live for about 5 to 6 years in the wild. They are ready to have their own babies when they are 14–15 months old.
Who Hunts Pademelons?
Natural predators of pademelons include Tasmanian wolves (now extinct), Tasmanian devils, spotted-tailed quolls, and wedge-tailed eagles.
Threats to Calaby's Pademelon
The biggest threat to Calaby's pademelon is the loss of its natural home. This happens when forests are cleared for farms, buildings, or roads. When their habitat is destroyed, pademelons have to move to open areas. This makes them easier targets for predators.
Humans have also hunted pademelons for their meat and fur. The introduction of new animals like feral cats, dogs, and foxes has also reduced their numbers. Climate change and severe weather also change their habitat, leaving them exposed.
Why They Are Hunted
Calaby's pademelons are sometimes hunted for their meat and fur. Their fur is even sold internationally. They are hunted for food, fun, or to protect crops. Often, bigger males are hunted because they are easier to spot. This can affect the balance of male and female pademelons and their genetic diversity.
Protecting Calaby's Pademelon
Calaby's pademelon is one of the most threatened pademelon species. It is listed as endangered because it lives in a very small area, less than 500 square kilometers. Also, there are fewer than five places where these animals are found. Their habitat continues to shrink, and hunting still reduces their numbers.
Conservation Efforts in Papua New Guinea
Calaby's pademelon is currently found in only two locations in Papua New Guinea. In 2009, the Papua New Guinea government created its first national conservation area. This area is owned by 35 local villages that have agreed to stop hunting, logging, mining, and other development there.
This special place is called the YUS Conservation Area. 'YUS' stands for three major rivers that run through it: the Yopno, Uruwa, and Som. It took 12 years to set up this reserve. Creating parks and nature reserves is very important for saving endangered species like the Calaby's pademelon. More rules about hunting are needed to protect this species.
What More Needs to Be Done
Even though pademelons are common in some parts of Australia, not much is known about the Calaby's pademelon. More research is needed to understand their population size, where they live, and how their numbers are changing in Papua New Guinea.
Scientists are also studying their DNA to learn how to best manage different groups of the species. This information will help create better plans to protect them. Understanding how they reacted to past climate changes can also help protect their genetic diversity and ability to adapt in the future.
Images for kids
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Calaby's pademelon range
(brown — extant, orange — possibly extinct)
