# Macropus rufogriseus

The red-necked wallaby is a friendly kangaroo that loves to hop around in grassy areas. They have soft fur and a long tail that helps them balance while jumping.

- **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![Macropus rufogriseus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Macropus_rufogriseus_rufogriseus_Bruny.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Noodle snacks ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/)Bennett's Wallaby), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Macropus_rufogriseus_rufogriseus_Bruny.jpg)

## Appearance

The Macropus rufogriseus is a medium-sized marsupial with thick, soft fur that is typically grey, but distinctive reddish-brown fur covers its neck and shoulders. It has black paws and feet, and a long, muscular tail for balance. Its long ears are often bordered with white.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Diprotodontia
- **Family:** Macropodidae
- **Genus:** Macropus

## Interesting facts

- Baby wallabies, called joeys, are born tiny, smaller than a jelly bean!
- Female wallabies can pause a pregnancy until conditions are perfect.
- They use their strong tail as a handy fifth leg for support!
- Wallabies can lick their forearms to cool down when it's hot.

## Special abilities

- **Tail Balance:** Macropus rufogriseus has a strong, thick tail that helps them balance while hopping at high speeds or standing on their hind legs.
- **Pouch Nursery:** Macropus rufogriseus has a special pouch where its tiny joey develops, keeping it safe and warm for months.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 60-90 cm
- **Weight:** 7-27 kg
- **Lifespan:** 9-15 years
- **Speed:** 48 km/h
- **Litter Size:** 1
- **Gestation:** 29-31 days

## Diet & Feeding

These wallabies are plant-eaters, munching on a variety of grasses and leaves.

- **Primary Foods:** grasses, leaves, shrubs, roots, bark
- **Foraging Method:** Grazing

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Wedge-tailed Eagle (*Aquila audax*) — Eagles prey on young or smaller wallabies.
- **Eats:** Blue Gum (*Eucalyptus globulus*) — Wallabies graze on the leaves and undergrowth.
- **Eats:** Sydney Golden Wattle (*Acacia longifolia*) — They browse on the foliage of various native shrubs.

## Traits

- [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.

## Collections

- [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Always watch from a distance and never try to touch wild animals.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Macropus rufogriseus?

Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Macropus rufogriseus?

60-90 cm

### How much does Macropus rufogriseus weigh?

7-27 kg

### How long does Macropus rufogriseus live?

9-15 years

### How fast can Macropus rufogriseus move?

48 km/h

### What does Macropus rufogriseus eat?

These wallabies are plant-eaters, munching on a variety of grasses and leaves.

### Where is Macropus rufogriseus usually found?

Grasslands

### How does Macropus rufogriseus hunt?

Grazing

## Where to spot

- [Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/thuringer-zoopark-erfurt) — Thüringen, DE · Zoo
- [Tierpark Zittau](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-zittau) — Sachsen, DE · Zoo

## More Mammals

- [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*)
- [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*)
- [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*)
- [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*)

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Source: [Macropus rufogriseus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/macropus-rufogriseus)