Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby - profile

Scientific name: Petrogale penicillata
Conservation status in NSW: Endangered
National conservation status: Vulnerable

Description

The Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby has a characteristic, long and bushy, dark rufous-brown tail that is bushier towards its tip. It has long, thick, brown body-fur that tends to be rufous on the rump and grey on the shoulders. The fur on its chest and belly are paler. It also has a characteristic white cheek-stripe and a black stripe from its forehead to the back of its head. It is relatively small and muscular, which enables it to be fast and agile in its rocky habitat. The average weight of this species is about 8 kg for males and 6 kg for females.

Location and habitat

Distribution
The range of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby extends from south-east Queensland to the Grampians in western Victoria, roughly following the line of the Great Dividing Range. However the distribution of the species across its original range has declined significantly in the west and south and has become more fragmented. In NSW they occur from the Queensland border in the north to the Shoalhaven in the south, with the population in the Warrumbungle Ranges being the western limit.

Habitat and ecology

Occupy rocky escarpments, outcrops and cliffs with a preference for complex structures with fissures, caves and ledges facing north.
Browse on vegetation in and adjacent to rocky areas eating grasses and forbs as well as the foliage and fruits of shrubs and trees.
Shelter or bask during the day in rock crevices, caves and overhangs and are most active at night.
Highly territorial and have strong site fidelity with an average home range size of about 15 ha.
Live in family groups of 2 – 5 adults and usually one or two juvenile and sub-adult individuals.
Dominant males associate and breed with up to four females.
Breeding is likely to be continuous, at least in the southern populations, with no apparent seasonal trends in births.

Regional information
This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.

Threats

Loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitat.
Predation by foxes and dogs.
Competition with feral goats.
Fire regimes that reduce the abundance and diversity of ground forage.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 31 priority actions to help recover the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in New South Wales.

What needs to be done to recover this species?

Raise landowners' awareness about the presence of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies and provide information to assist in their management.
Undertake feral predator control around colony sites.
Undertake feral goat control around colony sites.
Retain rocky habitat and adjacent open forest or grassland areas.
Retain habitat corridors between colony sites.
Protect colony sites from human interference or disturbance.

References

Eldridge M.D.B and Close R.L. (1995). Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in Strahan, R. (ed.), The Australian Museum Complete Book of Australian Mammals. Angus & Robertson, Sydney.
Grigg, G., Jarman, P. & Hume, I. (eds.) (1989). Kangaroos, wallabies and rat-kangaroos. Vol. 1. Surrey Beatty & Sons Pty Ltd. Chipping Norton, NSW.
Menkhorst, P. and Knight, F. (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford Uni Press, Melbourne.
NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (2005) Draft Recovery Plan for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale pencillata). NSW DEC, Sydney.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Brush-tailed rock-wallaby (endangered Warrumbungles population) Recovery Plan. NSW NPWS, Hurstville NSW.
NSW Scientific Committee (2003) Brush-tailed rock wallaby - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.