Tasmanian pademelon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tasmanian pademelon |
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| Mt Field National Park | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thylogale
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| Species: |
billardierii
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| Tasmanian pademelon range | |
The Tasmanian pademelon (Thylogale billardierii) is a small marsupial that lives in Tasmania. People also call it the rufous-bellied pademelon or red-bellied pademelon because of its fur color. It is the only type of pademelon found in Tasmania. Long ago, it also lived in southeastern Australia. This pademelon has thicker, bushier fur than its relatives who live in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Male pademelons are bigger than females. Males can weigh about 7 kg (15.4 lbs) and be 1 to 1.2 meters long, including their tail. Females usually weigh around 4 kg (8.8 lbs).
Contents
Where Do Tasmanian Pademelons Live?
Tasmanian pademelons are shy animals. They like to be alone and are active at night. During the day, they hide in thick plants and trees. They prefer places like rainforests, sclerophyll forests, and scrubland. They also use wet, bushy areas in dry eucalyptus forests.
These animals especially like spots next to open areas where they can find food. After the sun sets, they move into these open spaces to eat. However, they usually stay close to the edge of the forest, not going more than 100 meters away. You can find many Tasmanian pademelons all over Tasmania.
What Do Tasmanian Pademelons Eat?
The Tasmanian pademelon is a herbivore, which means it eats only plants. Since they are active at night, they find their food in the dark. They eat many different kinds of plants. Their diet includes herbs, fresh green shoots, grass, and even some flowers that have nectar.
In the past, the thylacine used to hunt Tasmanian pademelons. Today, other animals on the island still hunt them. These predators include the Tasmanian devil and quolls. Even with these predators, there are many pademelons. Sometimes, their numbers are managed to make sure there is enough grass for farm animals too. People are allowed to hunt Tasmanian pademelons. Their fur can be used for products, and their meat can be eaten.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Tasmanian pademelons do not have a specific time of year when they breed. However, about 70% of pademelon babies are born around the start of winter. A female pademelon is pregnant for about 30 days. After birth, the baby, called a joey, stays in its mother's pouch for about 6 months. The joey drinks its mother's milk until it is around 8 months old.
Young pademelons are ready to have their own babies when they are about 14 to 15 months old. In the wild, pademelons usually live for 5 to 6 years.
See also
In Spanish: Pademelon de Tasmania para niños
