RWP Zoo: Matschie's Tree Kangaroo
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Matschie's tree kangaroo

   Did You Know?          

>> Roger Williams Park Zoo lends support to the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program in Papua New Guinea.
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Matschie's Tree Kangaroo is extremely agile in trees, but not on the ground. They have strong foreclaws for gripping branches, slip-resistant foot pads,and short, broad feet (compared to other kangaroos) to assist with balance in the trees.

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The tail is not prehensile, but is used for balance.
>> They can make tree to tree jumps of 30-45 feet.
>> They have thick, long fur. The fur on neck and back grows in the opposite direction of the rest of the fur - when it rains they crouch down so that their head is lower than their shoulders - rain runs off.
>> Joeys fully emerge from the pouch at 10 months, are weaned at 1 year and stay with mom until 18 months.

 

 Fast Facts

Size:
Body length - 17-36 inches
Tail length - 17-36 inches

Weight:
Males weigh about 15 pounds; females about 17 pounds

Diet:
Herbivore; eats leaves and fruit

Life Span:
Unknown in the wild; up to 10 years in captivity

Habitat:
Mountainous forests

Fun Facts:
Joey is 1 inch long at birth and takes 2 minutes to crawl into pouch.

Longest gestation period of any marsupial.

Conservation:
Endangered
 - covered by AZA Species Survival Plan

May be only 1400 left in the wild.

Decline caused by habitat loss (from logging, oil and mineral mining and exploration)

Geographic Location:
Huon Peninsula of Papau New Guinea, nearby island of Umboi

Matschie's tree kangaroo range
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1000 Elmwood Avenue . Providence, RI 02907 . 401-785-3510
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