Dingiso facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dingiso |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dendrolagus
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| Species: |
mbaiso
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| Dingiso range | |
The dingiso (Dendrolagus mbaiso) is a special type of tree-kangaroo. It is also known as the bondegezou or bakaga. This animal is found only in the high mountain forests on the western side of New Guinea. New Guinea is a large island in Indonesia.
The dingiso is a marsupial, which means it carries its babies in a pouch. Kangaroos are also marsupials. The dingiso is part of the same animal family as kangaroos, called Macropodidae. It mostly eats leaves and other plants. Sadly, the dingiso is an endangered animal. This means it is at risk of disappearing forever.
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What is the Dingiso?
The dingiso is a unique type of tree-kangaroo. Tree-kangaroos are mammals that live in trees. They are found in Australia and New Guinea. Unlike most tree-kangaroos, the dingiso spends most of its time on the ground. It is known for being very calm and gentle.
Why is it called 'the forbidden animal'?
The local Moni people who live near the dingiso consider it a sacred animal. They believe the dingiso is the spirit of their ancestors. Because of this belief, they do not hunt or harm the dingiso.
The scientific name for the dingiso is Dendrolagus mbaiso. The word mbaiso means "the forbidden animal" in the Moni language. This name was given by Dr. Tim Flannery and his team. Locally, the Moni people call the dingiso Bakaga.
Where does the Dingiso live?
The dingiso lives in high mountain forests in Western New Guinea. These forests are found in the Sudirman Range, in areas called Central Papua and Highland Papua. It lives just below the line where trees stop growing. This is at very high elevations, between 3,250 and 4,200 meters (about 10,660 to 13,780 feet) above sea level.
In 2009, the dingiso was filmed for the first time for a BBC documentary. This happened after 11 days of searching with the help of local Moni tribesmen. The dingiso prefers to live in mossy forests and shrubland in these rugged mountain areas.
What does the Dingiso look like?
The dingiso has a very special look with its black and white fur. It has a white belly and a black head, back, and legs. This unique pattern helps it stand out from other tree-kangaroos.
Who discovered the Dingiso?
The dingiso was officially described to science in 1995. This means it was formally named and studied by scientists. The team included Australian Museum zoologist Tim Flannery, Indonesian zoologist Boeadi, and Australian anthropologist Alexandra Szalay.
How is the Dingiso protected?
The dingiso is an Endangered species on the IUCN Red List. This list helps track animals that are at risk. Even though it is endangered, the dingiso is still quite common in its western habitat. This is because the Moni people protect it. They believe it is an ancestor and must never be hurt.
However, the dingiso still faces many threats. These include hunting for food, losing its forest home, and the growing number of people in the area. Changes in farming and climate change also threaten the dingiso's future.
