Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby(Petrogale xanthopus)
- Family: Macropodidae (Kangaroos and Wallabies) [Marsupials]
- Class: Mammals
- National Status: Vulnerable (Nat.)
- State Status: Vulnerable (SA)
Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby
DESCRIPTION
The Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby is the largest of all of the rock wallabies. Its distinctive stripes, ornamental tail rings and the unusual colouring of its limbs, which ranges from rich orange to bright yellow, also makes it one of Australia’s most attractive macropods. Adults measure 1m to 1.3m (head-body length of 480 to 650 mm, tail length of 570 to 700mm) and typically weigh between 6 – 11 kg.
DISTRIBUTION
Two sub-species of Yellow-footed Rock–wallabies are currently recognised. Petrogale xanthopos xanthopos naturally inhabits the dry, semi-arid rocky regions of South Australia’s Flinders, Gawler and Willouran Ranges and the Olary Hills. Small, isolated populations can also be found in western New South Wales. Petrogale xanthopos celeris occurs in Queensland. Petrogale xanthopos now occurs in only 25% of its previous natural range. Since surveys commenced in the 1980’s, only 4% of existing colonies have been recorded as having more than 20 animals, and certainly none approximate the large colonies that once existed.
HABITAT
Petrogale xanthopos xanthopos occurs in semi-arid areas where rainfall is unreliable. The species is closely associated with steep cliffs, rocky outcrops and caves with water within a two kilometer radius.
THREATS
Though once abundant, the decline of Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies is attributed to a combination of causes. These include intense hunting for the fur trade in the past, habitat destruction and competition from introduced herbivores such as goats, sheep and rabbits, and predation by feral cats and foxes. Indeed, predation by foxes and competition from goats are considered to be the two most significant ongoing threats to the species’ survival. Their decline to dangerously low numbers and fragmented distribution mean that Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies are now extremely vulnerable to regional catastrophic events, loss of genetic diversity and any habitat loss or disturbance.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies feed on a diet of grasses and forbs and, during drought, browse on shrubs and trees. The competition for scarce food resources can become intense as Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies have to compete with introduced herbivores, such as goats, which rely on a similar diet. This increases the impact a drought can have on Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby survival and can suppress their ability to recover when the drought finally breaks.
Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby
Whilst Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies have no distinct breeding season, reproductive rates are correlated with rainfall. Generally only one offspring is produced per year. Gestation is 31 – 32 days and juveniles have a pouch life of about 194 days. Once young have exited the pouch females leave their joeys on a rocky outcrop, while they leave to feed and drink on the surrounding rocky slopes and plains, returning to suckle their young. Remarkably, Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby mothers are the only mammals reported to transfer water from their mouths to their young-at-foot joeys.
Individuals occupy home ranges of between 130 – 220 hectares, although this varies both seasonally and between the sexes, with males having much larger home ranges. The total area or range of a colony may extend to 1,000 hectares.
The availability of food resources and shelter sites appear to be a strong factor in determining colony size. Colonies generally comprise one or two larger adult males, several adult females and their offspring. A number of younger males and occasionally females may occur nearby, as young males in particular, tend to disperse from the main group.
MAJOR ON-GROUND PROGRAMS
Optus is joining forces with Australian Wildlife Conservancy to help protect the Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies at Buckaringa Wildlife Sanctuary for future generations of Australians. To find out more about how this major on-ground program, please see Protecting the Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby at Buckaringa Wildlife Sanctuary, SA
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS
AWC is building an innovative new partnership with Optus that is helping to save our wildlilfe. For more information on how Optus and AWC are joining forces to tackle Australia`s extinction crisis, see, AWC - Optus Corporate Partnership.
YELLOW-FOOTED ROCK-WALLABY NATIONAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
For more information about the Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby national awareness campaign, see www.optus.com.au/wildlife
DONATE NOW
Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby Donation Page
SPECIES OCCURS AT
Buckaringa Sanctuary