Rufous hare-wallaby facts for kids
The rufous hare-wallaby (scientific name: Lagorchestes hirsutus) is a small type of wallaby that lives in Australia. People also call it the mala, which is its name in the Western Desert language. This little wallaby used to live all over the western part of Australia. Now, you can only find it on Bernier and Dorre Islands, which are in Shark Bay. Sadly, it is currently listed as a vulnerable species, meaning it's at risk of disappearing.
Quick facts for kids Rufous hare-wallaby |
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| Mammals of Australia, Vol. II Plate 57 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lagorchestes
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| Species: |
hirsutus
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| Rufous hare-wallaby range (blue — native, red — introduced) |
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Contents
About the Rufous Hare-Wallaby
The rufous hare-wallaby is a nocturnal animal. This means it is most active at night. During the day, it rests and hides. It is also a herbivore, so it only eats plants. Its diet includes herbs, leaves, and seeds.
Most rufous hare-wallabies live alone. They are usually solitary creatures. The famous naturalist John Gould first described this species in 1844. He wrote about it in his book, The Mammals of Australia.
Bringing Them Back
Efforts are being made to help the rufous hare-wallaby. They are being reintroduced to mainland Australia. This means moving them back to areas where they used to live. One important place for this is the Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory.
Different Kinds of Mala
Scientists have found four different groups, or subspecies, of the rufous hare-wallaby. Each group has slightly different features or lives in different places:
- Lagorchestes hirsutus hirsutus: This group is now extinct, meaning there are no more left.
- Lagorchestes hirsutus bernieri: You can only find this subspecies on Bernier Island.
- Lagorchestes hirsutus dorreae: This group lives only on Dorre Island.
- The fourth group does not have a scientific name yet. It is extinct in the wild. This means it no longer lives freely in nature. This group was first found in the Tanami Desert. It used to be common across central Australia. The only mala from this group now live in special conservation areas in Western Australia. These areas protect them.
Mala in Aboriginal Culture
The mala is an important animal for many Western Desert Aboriginal people. It is a common totem in their Dreaming stories. These stories are a big part of their culture and beliefs.
See also
In Spanish: Ualabí liebre rojizo para niños
