Caloprymnus campestris
desert rat kangaroo

Caloprymnus campestris is thought to occupy a relatively small area in Southern Australia, extending just over the borders of Queensland and Northern Territory. Although not spotted since 1935 (when it was seen in the Lake Eyre region of northern Southern Australia), apparently recent remains of C. campestris have been found in caves of southeastern Western Australia (Lavery, 1985).

Caloprymnus campestris lives in an arid, desert region of Australia,including clay pans, sandridges and gibber plains. Cover is sparse and consists of saltbrush, cherropods and Emu bush (Nowak, 1992).

The coloring of the pelage of C. campestris is appropriate for its desert surroundings. A pale, yellowish, ochre on top blends C. campestris with clay soils; while ventral surfaces are lighter. The muzzle of C. campestris is short with large upper lips. Ears are very long and covered with fur. Neck glands have been observed in some specimens. A distinguishing feature of C. campestris is the difference in size between fore and hindlimbs. Forelimbs are quite delicate with bones weighing 1 gram, while hindlimbs are large with bones weighing 12 grams. This difference is related to saltation. Other characteristics related to hopping locomotion include the large difference in limb size, long tail, plantigrade hindfoot, and syndactyly. The 4th toe of the hindfoot is the longest and is extremely strong. Caloprymnus campestris has an anteriorly opening pouch with 4 teats. Dentition is another crucial distinguishing feature. Caloprymnus campestris exhibits diprotodonty. Incisors are large with the 2nd and 3rd incisors smaller and laterally placed. Dental formula is 3/1, 1-0/0, 2/2, 4/4 = 32-34. There's also a blade-like premolar used for cutting, located behind a diastema. Molars are thought to erupt spontaneously, in contrast with other macropodids, in which eruption is sequential (Ganslosser 1988, Myers 1997, Nowak 1991, Strahan 1995).

Caloprymnus campestris is solitary except for young offspring with mothers. It lives in nests built over shallow depressions in the ground. Nests are excavated or found and are crucial in the desert, where there is relatively little brush or foliage to find cover under. The "pits" are lined with grass, which females carry to the nest with their tails. The nest is then covered with twigs. Caloprymnus spends most of the day taking shelter from the desert sun in its simple nest. Oftentimes, C. campestris is found peeking out of the top of the nest to observe its surroundings. Caloprymnus campestris has a distinct method of hopping. Its posture is forward and the 297-399mm tail is extended when it moves at high speeds, . Jumping is restricted to the back legs. Unlike other species, Caloprymnus lands with the right foot in front of the left foot. Caloprymnus campestris can move at full speed for as long as 20km. When moving at low speeds, C. campestris is pentapodal and moves like a rabbit (Strahan, 1995).

Caloprymnus campestris is mainly herbivorous but has been found to eat insects such as beetles and weevils. Calprymnus campestris nocturnally feeds on foliage and stems of vegetation. As a desert inhabitant, C. campestris is able to exist without surface water while feeding on green plants (Strahan, 1995).

Australian aborigines used to capture C. campestris, possibly for food. Besides that, C. campestris has no other known economic importance (Lavery, 1985).

Listed as indeterminate by the IUCN, and endangered by the USDI; C. campestris was last reported in 1935. It may be extinct, or it may be present in very small populations, waiting for conditions such as drought in which to make a comeback. No thorough efforts have been made to determine its status. Possible reasons for its decline and disappearance are the introduction of predators such as the fox and cat; competitors such as the rabbit; and the clearing of land for cattle grazing (Jenkins and Thornback, 1982).

The latin meaning of Caloprymnus is "beautiful rump," probably alluding to its beauty and powerful hind legs. Campestris means "plain, level country," referring to its habitat. Besides being called the desert rat kangaroo, C. campestris is also called the plains rat kangaroo (Strahan, 1995).