Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
While many species of rock wallaby in Australia are threatened by continuous land development, Petrogale brachyotis' natural island populations on the northern coast of Australia help to preserve its population. Petrogale brachyotis is considered abundant, but is thought to be extinct in the extreme western portion of its range (Groves & Ride, 1984).
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Short-eared rock wallabies were previously thought to be agricultural pests. It is currently understood that they pose no threat to human crops (Strahan, 1995).
Early in Australian colonization most species of rock wallabies were hunted for their soft pelts. However, this type of exploitation has declined in recent years (Strahan, 1995).
Short-eared rock wallabies mainly feed on grasses. In dry seasons they can live for long periods of time without water by feeding on the succulent bark and roots of various trees within their habitat (Nowak, 1999).
This species ranges from the Kimbereley region of Western Australia, through Arnhem Land, and then eastward along the Gulf of Carpentaria to the eastern boundary of the Australian Shield, including Groote Eylandt (Nowak, 1999; Wilson & Reeder, 1993).
Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )
Short-eared rock wallabies can be found in rocky areas or boulder-strewn outcrops, including low, rocky hills, cliffs, and gorges. These rocky areas are typically near forests, woodlands, or savannahs.
While other species of Petrogale have been threatened by introduced species, such as feral rabbits and feral goats, Petrogale brachyotis population sizes do not seem to have declined. This is due, in part, to the numerous island populations of northern Australia which have been unaffected by introduced species (Strahan, 1995; Taylor, 1984).
Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; savanna or grassland
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 10.1 years.
Petrogale brachyotis varies in total length from 830 to 1070 millimeters. Average adult size is 970 mm long.
Short-eared rock wallabies have ears that are not more than half the length of their heads, hence their name. The pelage is uniform in color dorsally and can have variable whitish margins. Pelage color ranges from light grey and almost white in western populations to dark grey and brown in eastern populations. They have an extremely long, bushy, and thickly-haired tail which is used primarily for balancing.
Short-eared rock wallabies have a well-padded hind foot, with the sole being roughly granulated. This characteristic gives these animals a secure grip on rocky surfaces, which is their primary habitat. The central hind claws of short-eared rock wallabies are short, exceeding the toe by only 2 or 3 mm. Female rock wallabies have a forward-opening pouch with four mammae (Nowak, 1999; Wilson & Reeder, 1993).
Range mass: 4 to 5 kg.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Little reproductive information specific to short-eared rock wallabies is available. Available reproductive information is general to all rock wallaby species.
Rock wallaby females are polyestrous, with an average estrous cycle of 30 days and a gestation period of 30 days. Rock wallabies are marsupials, they give birth to altricial young that migrate from the end of the birth canal to a pouch that houses the nipples. Young can spend anywhere from 190 to 230 days in the mother's pouch suckling. Twins are possible but single births are most common.
Female rock wallabies reach sexual maturity at approximately 540 days, while males reach sexual maturity at approximately 590 days (Strahan, 1995; Taylor, 1984).
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average number of offspring: 1.
