Ursine tree-kangaroo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ursine tree-kangaroo |
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| Conservation status | |
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Dendrolagus
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| Species: |
ursinus
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| Ursine tree-kangaroo range | |
The ursine tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus ursinus) is a special 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.
This tree-kangaroo lives only in a specific part of the world. It is found in West Papua, Indonesia, especially on the Vogelkop and possibly the Fakfak Peninsulas. This means it is "endemic" to these areas, so you won't find it naturally anywhere else. People also call it the black tree-kangaroo, the Vogelkop tree-kangaroo, or the white-throated tree-kangaroo. Sadly, its home is being destroyed, which puts it at risk. The International Union for Conservation of Nature says it is a "vulnerable" animal.
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What Does the Ursine Tree-Kangaroo Look Like?
This tree-kangaroo is a medium-sized animal. Its body, from head to tail, can be about 50 to 82 centimeters (20 to 32 inches) long. Its tail is also quite long, from 40 to 94 centimeters (16 to 37 inches). It can weigh up to 8 kilograms (18 pounds).
The fur on its back and top parts is a shiny black color. Its belly and underparts are a lighter, fawn color. It has a white area around its neck and throat. Its face is brown, and its cheeks can be white or red. A cool feature is its ears, which are long and have tufts of fur. The long fur on its shoulders forms a swirl pattern. Scientists think this helps rain slide off its head, keeping it dry.
Compared to kangaroos that live on the ground, the ursine tree-kangaroo has shorter legs. Its feet are wide, with rough soles and curled claws. These features help it grip branches when climbing trees. Its long tail has a white tip and helps it balance, like a tightrope walker's pole.
Where Do Ursine Tree-Kangaroos Live?
The ursine tree-kangaroo is found only on the island of New Guinea. Specifically, it lives on the Vogelkop Peninsula in the far northwest. It might also live on the Fakfak Peninsula in West Papua.
These tree-kangaroos prefer to live in tropical forests. You can find them in mountains at heights between 1,000 and 2,500 meters (about 3,300 to 8,200 feet) above sea level.
How Do Ursine Tree-Kangaroos Live?
The ursine tree-kangaroo is a nocturnal animal, meaning it is active at night. It likes to be alone and spends most of its time in trees. Even though it's a tree-dweller, it can come down to the ground. When it's on the ground, it hops on its back legs, but it's not as graceful as a ground kangaroo.
It is much better at moving around in the trees. It uses its strong limbs and tail to climb and jump between branches. Its diet mainly consists of fruit and leaves that it finds in the forest canopy.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Scientists believe that ursine tree-kangaroos can have babies at any time of the year. Like all marsupials, their babies are born very tiny. After about 30 days of pregnancy, a tiny newborn, called a neonate, is born. This tiny baby then crawls through its mother's fur to reach her pouch.
Once inside the pouch, the baby attaches itself to a nipple. It stays there, safe and warm, drinking milk and growing for about 300 days. This long period in the pouch helps the baby develop fully before it's ready to explore the world outside.
Why Are Ursine Tree-Kangaroos at Risk?
The number of ursine tree-kangaroos is going down. Their population has dropped by at least 30% in the last 30 years. There are two main reasons for this decline.
First, their habitat is being destroyed. Forests where they live are cut down to make space for farms. This means they lose their homes and food sources. In the past, they used to live in forests closer to sea level, but now they are only found in mountain forests.
Second, they are hunted by local people for food. Because of these threats, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the ursine tree-kangaroo as "vulnerable". This means it faces a high risk of becoming extinct if we don't protect it.
