Lost species of Wallaby family

 

Common name- Toolache wallaby

Scientific name- Macropus greyi

Kingdom- Animalia

Phylum- Chordata

Class- Mammalia

Diet- Herbivores

Weight- 10kg (approx)

Height- 160-180 cm 

Lifespan- 12-15yrs

Habitat- Southeastern corner of Australia to the western part of Victoria

The toolache wallaby also called Grey's wallaby is an extinct species of wallaby from southeastern South Australia and southwestern Victoria. The Toolache Wallaby (Macropus greyi) could be found in Australia and New Zealand. They were considered by many to be the most elegant and graceful species of kangaroo. They were very social animals.

 Their hops consisted of two short hops, followed by a long one. Females were generally taller than males.They have powerful two hind legs which help them hop to great lengths and height. Forelegs are used to feeding the young and tails are used for balancing. Baby Wallabies called Joeys are carried by their mother safely in a warm pouch.They generally found in groups called court, mob or troup.

The Toolache Wallaby was very common until 1910 and became extremely rare by 1923. The last living member of this species was a female who lived in captivity for 12 years before dying in 1939. They were officially declared extinct in 1943. The toolache wallaby was declared extinct by the IUCN after an extensive search in the 1970s found no remaining individuals and the last confirmed record of one in the wild was in 1924. 

Hunting, habitat destruction (of their swamps), and their natural predators are crocodiles, fox,snakes and dogs make them all demise.Due to increased interaction with humans they also get killed in road accidents.