Wallaby Reserve...
Bennett's Wallaby (Protemnodon refogrisea)...
The "Bennett's" Wallaby or Red Necked Wallaby seen at the safari park, originate from Tasmania and along with the kangaroo, to which they are very closely related, are the commonest of all the wild herbivores of Australasia.
Although smaller than the kangaroo, they both have a pouch in which to carry their young, extremely strong back legs and a long powerful tail. This plays an important part in movement by balancing the animal, even over the roughest of ground.
At birth, the youngster crawls up through its mothers fur until it reaches the pouch. Once there, it will attach itself to a teat and remain there for about two months. During the third month, the young wallaby becomes strong enough to venture out to find food for itself.
During this early age, the young wallaby is very timid and will not stray too far from its mother and will remain dependent upon her for a further two months. Sometimes they are reluctant to leave and a young joey as large as 20kg can be carried in the pouch.
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