Rufous Rat-kangaroo
Encyclopedia
The Rufous Rat-kangaroo (Aepyprymnus rufescens), also known as the Rufous Bettong, is a small species of the family Potoroidae
found in Australia
. It is found in coastal and subcoastal regions from Newcastle
in New South Wales
to Cooktown
in Queensland
, and was formerly found in the Murray River
Valley of New South Wales and Victoria. It is not classified as threatened. This animal is very rare. The Rufous Bettong is a marsupial like kangaroos. The Rufous Bettong is about the size of a full grown rabbit
.
The Rufous Rat-kangaroo is the only member of its genus, and is the largest of all the potoroids
. It is generally grey with a hint of reddish brown and its scientific name means reddish high-rump. It was once thought of as a solitary nocturnal animal, but recent observation indicates that the Rufous Rat-kangaroo may form loose, polygynous associations. It feeds mostly on tubers and fungi, but also on leaves
and other vegetation
.
Breeding times occur throughout the year, once the female has reached maturity. This is generally at 11 months. The male reaches maturity between 12 and 13 months. Once mature, the female is capable of breeding every three-week intervals. Once successfully bred, the gestation of the young is just under a month, about 22–24 days. The young is born fully formed and lives within the pouch for about 16 weeks. Upon leaving the pouch, the Joey will stay near the mother for about 7 weeks, while it gets used to fending for itself.
Potoroidae
The marsupial family Potoroidae includes the bettongs, potoroos, and two of the rat-kangaroos. All are rabbit-sized, brown, jumping marsupials and resemble a large rodent or a very small wallaby.- Characteristics :...
found in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It is found in coastal and subcoastal regions from Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
to Cooktown
Cooktown, Queensland
Cooktown is a small town located at the mouth of the Endeavour River, on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland where James Cook beached his ship, the Endeavour, for repairs in 1770. At the 2006 census, Cooktown had a population of 1,336...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, and was formerly found in the Murray River
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
Valley of New South Wales and Victoria. It is not classified as threatened. This animal is very rare. The Rufous Bettong is a marsupial like kangaroos. The Rufous Bettong is about the size of a full grown rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
.
The Rufous Rat-kangaroo is the only member of its genus, and is the largest of all the potoroids
Potoroidae
The marsupial family Potoroidae includes the bettongs, potoroos, and two of the rat-kangaroos. All are rabbit-sized, brown, jumping marsupials and resemble a large rodent or a very small wallaby.- Characteristics :...
. It is generally grey with a hint of reddish brown and its scientific name means reddish high-rump. It was once thought of as a solitary nocturnal animal, but recent observation indicates that the Rufous Rat-kangaroo may form loose, polygynous associations. It feeds mostly on tubers and fungi, but also on leaves
Leaves
-History:Vocalist Arnar Gudjonsson was formerly the guitarist with Mower, and he was joined by Hallur Hallsson , Arnar Ólafsson , Bjarni Grímsson , and Andri Ásgrímsson . Late in 2001 they played with Emiliana Torrini and drew early praise from the New York Times...
and other vegetation
Vegetation
Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region; it refers to the ground cover provided by plants. It is a general term, without specific reference to particular taxa, life forms, structure, spatial extent, or any other specific botanical or geographic characteristics. It is broader...
.
Breeding times occur throughout the year, once the female has reached maturity. This is generally at 11 months. The male reaches maturity between 12 and 13 months. Once mature, the female is capable of breeding every three-week intervals. Once successfully bred, the gestation of the young is just under a month, about 22–24 days. The young is born fully formed and lives within the pouch for about 16 weeks. Upon leaving the pouch, the Joey will stay near the mother for about 7 weeks, while it gets used to fending for itself.