Matschie's Tree Kangaroo
[Dendrolagus matschiei]
The Matschie's tree kangaroo is among the most brilliantly colored marsupials; its back is red or mahogany brown, its face, belly and feet are bright yellow and its tail is mostly yellow. Head and body length is 20.8 to 32.4 inches and the tail is 16.8 to 37.4 inches. Males weigh 14.7 pounds on the average, and females 16.9 pounds. The fur is fairly long. Unlike ground dwelling kangaroos, the fore and hind limbs are of nearly equal proportions. The cushion-like pads on the large feet are covered with roughened skin and some of the nails are curved. These adaptations help it in grasping branches. The long, heavily furred tail acts as a counterbalance. Thick fur on the nape of the neck grows in reverse direction and acts as a watershedding device as the animals sit with their heads lower than their shoulders.
Location: Gum Leaf Hideout
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Range
Their range is central and eastern New Guinea.
Habitat
They inhabit mountainous rainforests.
Conservation Status
EndangeredPrimary Threats
Human Wildlife CoexistenceGestation
About 40 to 50 days
Litter
1
Behavior
Very agile in trees, these kangaroos can move rapidly form tree to tree, leaping downward as much as 30 feet to an adjoining tree. They can jump 60 or more feet to the ground without injury. Small groups shelter in trees during the day. When descending trees they usually back down. Days are usually spent sleeping in trees and foraging among the branches for leaves and tender shoots. At night they forage for food on the ground but always near trees into which they may take refuge when danger threatens.
Reproduction
It is believed there is no well-defined breeding season. The young first emerge completely from the pouch at about 305 days and by about 408 days they will suckle by just sticking their head in the pouch.
Wild Diet
Leaves and fruit
Zoo Diet
Bananas, monkey chow, oatmeal, bamboo leaves, spinach, corn, peas, carrots and potatoes
