Order: Diprotodontia Prev. Marsupialia
Family: Macropodidae
Genus & Species: Dendrolagus goodfellowi
APPEARANCE
Goodfellow's tree kangaroo of New Guinea is very un-kangaroo-like in
appearance. Like the rest of the tree kangaroo species, Goodfellow's tree
kangaroo differs from ground kangaroos in many ways. The forelimbs and
hindelimbs are almost of equal length and can move independently of one
another. The hindefeet are broad and shorter than those of ground
kangaroos. The forefeet are longer. The feet are padded with roughened
skin and end in sharp curved claws that aid with climbing. The female has a
pouch that holds the young. It opens forward and contains four teats. The
head is rounded, as are the small ears, and the snout is well-defined. They
eyes are small. Goodfellow's tree kangaroos lack opposable thumbs.
Sexual dimorphism is present, with the males being slightly larger than the
females. Males have a body length of 24.8-31.2 in (62-78 cm) and a tail
length of 33.8 in (84.5 cm). Males weigh 16.87 lbs (7.5 kg). Females have a
body length of 23.2 in (58 cm) and a tail length of 27.2 in (68 cm). Females
weigh 16.65 lbs (7.4 kg).
Goodfellow's tree kangaroos vary in colour, but are generally chestnut
brown - crimson red. The belly is pale, and the neck, cheeks, and feet are
yellow. The face is greyish-brown. A double golden stripe runs down the
back. The long, non-prehensile tail is generally the same colour as the body
but is covered with pale rings or spots. The coat is short and soft, and the
backhairs face a direction that allows water to run off easily.
Goodfellow's tree kangaroos are avid climbers. On the ground they take
short hop-steps, the forelegs touching the ground first followed by the
hindelegs.
They have a life span of over 14 years in captivity.
HABITAT
Goodfellow's tree kangaroos are found in Papua New Guinea. They are
located in the tropical rainforests and tropical deciduous forests of the Foya
Mountains in Northern Irian Jaya and of the Owen Stanley Ranges. They
live at heights of 2267-9550 ft (680-2865 m) above sea level.
Goodfellow's tree kangaroos live solitary lives. Males have large territories
that overlap several of the females' smaller territories. This tree kangaroo
species is nocturnal.
FOOD
Goodfellow's tree kangaroos feed mainly on the leaves of the Silkwood.
They also feed on shoots, creepers, ferns, cereals, fruits, grasses, and
flowers. The stomachs are large and sacculated and can hold much food.
Like all herbivores, bacteria is present in a section of the stomach to digest
the cellulose from the vegetation. Humans lack this bacteria and therefore
cannot digest cellulose, also known as "fibre".
ENEMIES
Goodfellow's tree kangaroos have few natural enemies. Humans sometimes
hunt them for their meat, and others can be killed by dingos. The main
threat to their survival is their dwindling habitat that is disappearing due to
logging, mining, and agriculture. They are currently listed as a vulnerable
species.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity is reached at 2 years of age. There is no defined breeding
season. After a gestation period of 21-38 days, the mother licks clean her
pouch and then takes up the birthing position: sitting on the base of her tail
with the tail tip between her legs. One Joey is born. It is small, roughly the
size of a lima bean. Once it has emerged from the birth canal, it
instinctively climbs up to it mother's pouch, where it then grabs hold of a
teat, and remains there for up to 8 months, sometimes staying for as long as
10 months. Even after it leaves the pouch, the Joey will often return to
nurse for several months. It becomes fully independent after 11-13 months.
RELATIVES
Goodfellow's tree kangaroo is related to the nine other species of tree
kangaroos. There are at least 2 subspecies, D. g. shawmayeri and D. g.
buergersi.
RESOURCES CITED
1. www.worldzoo.org/abstract/mammals.htm
2. www.zoo.org.au/animal_page.cfm?area_id=20&zoo_id=1&animal_id=96
3. www.ozemail.com.au/~rpc/project_z/collection/mammals/
goodfellows_tree-kangaroo.htm
4. www.oit.itd.umich.edu/projects/adw2k/accounts/
dendrolagus/d._goodfellowi
5. "Tree Kangaroo" Funk & Wagnall's Wildlife Encyclopedia, pg 2397, vol
20, 1974, USA, BPC Pub Ltd
6. www.noord.bart.nl/~edcolijn/mammals.html
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