Petrogale concinna
pygmy rock wallaby

Petrogale concinna is found only in the Northern Territory of Australia and a few neighboring islands (Borda, Augustus, Long and Hidden). (Churchill, 1997)

Petrogale concinna is restricted to the sandstone or granite rocky hills, cliffs and gorges of northern Australia. (Churchill, 1997; Commonwealth of Australia, 2004; Menkhorst and Knight, 2004)

Petrogale concinna has dull, reddish colored fur with light grey and black marbling. The belly is greyish-white. The tip of tail is black and bushy. The fur is short with a soft, silky texture. The soles of the feet are thickly padded and granulated in order to grip rock; these animals use skin friction rather than large claws to climb. Body size varies among individuals. Head and body length can range from 310-365 mm; the tail can range 260-335mm; hind feet can be 95-105 mm; ear length can be 41-45 mm; and weight can range from 1200-1600g g. (Menkhorst and Knight, 2004; Nowak, 1991; Taylor, 1984)

The teeth of Petrogale concinna are unique among marsupials. Throughout life, the molars of P. concinna continually erupt. The old molars are pushed forward until they eventually fall out in the front of the mouth. The actual number of molars is unknown. As many as nine molars can successively erupt, but there are seldom more than five molars in place at any time. Researchers believe this phenomenon could be an adaptation to the ferns that they eat, because fern tissue is extremely abrasive. (Nowak, 1991; Taylor, 1984)

As Petrogale concinna runs, it carries its body horizontally with its tail arched high over its back.

The maximum known lifespan of Petrogale concinna is 17 years. (Ohio University, 2006)

Petrogale concinna is mostly nocturnal and timid. Members of this species occasionally like to bask in the morning. They are also gregarious, living in groups. (Nowak, 1991; Taylor, 1984)

Home Range

The home range is not known, however a territory is occassionally shared with Petrogale brachyotis (a rock wallaby similar to Petrogale concinna). (Menkhorst and Knight, 2004)

Marsupials are rarely vocal. When they are used, vocalizations play a role primarily in mating, territorial, and mother to young encounters. Captive Petrogale concinna displayed vocalization during adult female encounters. Using vocalization establishes dominance among females. Vocalization was nearly always given by the defending animal, with each call appearing to have different functional significances. Threat calls are screams, given in response to an attack; sneezes are given at intermediate distances in response to movements of the opponent; coughs are threat calls given in response to an approach; barks are hesitant calls that are generally given at long distances. (Aitkin, 1998; Goldstone and Nelson, 1986)

Petrogale concinna does not stray far from the safety of its rock shelter, except that at night it may travel far distances to feed on grasses, sedges and ferns. During the dry season this species relies on a fern Marsilea crenata, feeding primarily on grasses during the wet season. (Hume, 1999; Menkhorst and Knight, 2004; Nowak, 1991)

Unlike most macropodids, adult P. concinna lack a specialized structure called a gastric sulcus. This structure is found in most herbivores that have modified stomachs for microbial fermentation of food, and facilitates movement of liquid digesta. Captive P. concinna were seen frequently regurgitating food. According to Goldstone and Nelson “this behavior is not analogous to rumination in ruminants and has been termed mercyism”. (Goldstone and Nelson, 1986; Hume, 1999)

Current threats to P. concinna include habitat change by altered fire regimes and possible attacks by feral cats. (Maxwell, Burbidge, and Morris, 1996)

Members of this species are herbivores. They may play a role in determining the structure of plant communities.

No known negative economic importance.

Little is known about Petrogale concinna.

Although Petrogale concinna is not listed as being threatened it is found on two of Australia's conservation reserves; Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks. (Churchill, 1997)

There are fifteen known species of rock wallabies including P. concinna. Petrogale concinna has a variety of names such as the Nabarlek and little pigmy rock wallaby. It was discovered in 1842 by a gentleman by the name of Gould. (Menkhorst and Knight, 2004; Nowak, 1991)