Macropus parryi
whiptail wallaby

Macropus parryi, also known as Parry's wallaby, has been found only in the Australian areas of northern New South Wales and eastern coastal Queensland.

The whiptail wallaby is found at a higher density at high altitudes on slopes under canopy cover. No other wallaby prefers this exact combination of habitat characteristics.

However, another inhabitant of this area is Macropus parryi's only predator other than humans, the dingo.

More commonly known as pretty-faced or whiptail wallaby, Macropus parryi is identified by its distinct white cheeks and long tail. In fact, the tail of this creature often equals or exceeds the length of its body and head combined. Total length can exceed 7 feet in males of the species. The majority of the body is colored pale brown except for the base of the ears, the forehead and the tip of the tail, which are dark brown.

The whiptail wallaby reaches sexual maturity between 18 and 24 months for females and at over 2 years for males.

Macropus parryi gives birth to a single young, frequently around January, after a gestation period of approximately 34-38 days. This is followed by 37 weeks of nursing, during which the young wallaby suckles on one of four teats in its mother's pouch. Unlike some other species of wallaby, in which a mother forceably removes her young when the time is right, the young Macropus parryi leaves the protective pouch on its own. Newborn young have a mass of about one gram (less than 0.03 ounces.)

The most identifying behavioral characteristic of Macropus parryi is its social structure. These animals are often seen in mobs of 50 to 80 individuals, with inner subgroups of around 10 individuals.

During hot weather, Parry's wallaby often licks its forearms to keep itself cool.

During seasons with high temperatures, the whiptail wallaby feeds only in the early morning and late afternoon, taking cover under foliage during the temperature peak. During the winter months it is seen feeding at all times of day.

Grasses, ferns and herbaceous plants are the foods of choice.

Macropus parryi positively benefits humans as a pet. In fact, the first of its species ever to be found and identified, by Sir Edward Parry in 1834 was kept by him as a pet at his home where it behaved much like a domesticated dog.

The only negative effect of the whiptail wallaby on humans is that in developed areas the wallaby may be intrusive. This primarily includes being hit by cars.

Currently there is no special conservation effort for whiptail wallabies in particular because they are common and are not used for commercial harvesting. They consist of a small percentage of the commercial quota for all types of macropods and are not typically used as a meat source.