Doria's tree-kangaroo

Doria's tree-kangaroo[1]
Dendrolagus dorianus from New Guinea. Stuffed specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Infraclass:Marsupialia
Order:Diprotodontia
Family:Macropodidae
Genus:Dendrolagus
Species: D. dorianus
Binomial name
Dendrolagus dorianus
Ramsay, 1883
Doria's tree-kangaroo range

Doria's tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus dorianus) is a tree-kangaroo endemic to Papua New Guinea.

Distribution

This marsupial is found in montane forests of southeastern New Guinea island, at elevations between 600–3650m.[3] The species was named in 1883 by Edward Pierson Ramsay in honour of Italian zoologist Giacomo Doria.[4]

Description

Doria's tree-kangaroo is one of the largest tree-kangaroo species, and weighs 6.5–14.5 kg, its length is 51–78 cm, with a long 44–66 cm tail. It has long dense brown fur with black ears and a pale brown or cream nonprehensile tail.[5] It has large and powerful claws and a stocky build that gives it a bear-like appearance.[4]

It is mostly solitary and nocturnal.

Its diet consists of various leaves, buds, flowers and fruits. The gestation period is about 30 days, after which, the single young remains in the mother's pouch for up to 10 months.[5]

Conservation

Doria's tree-kangaro is an IUCN Red List Vulnerable species. Its forest habitat is threatened by logging and forest clearance. Being large sized, it's also hunted for its meat.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Groves, C.P. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M., eds. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 59. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ↑ Leary, T.; Seri, L.; Flannery, T.; Wright, D.; Hamilton, S.; Helgen, K.; Singadan, R.; Menzies, J.; Allison, A. & James, R. (2008). "Dendrolagus dorianus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2008. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  3. ↑ "Doria's Tree Kangaroo". Tenkile Conservation Alliance. Archived from the original on 2007-08-30. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  4. 1 2 "Doria's Tree-kangaroo". PapuaWeb. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  5. 1 2 3 Burnie, David; Wilson, Don E., eds. (2005-09-19). Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife (1st paperback ed.). Dorling Kindersley. p. 101. ISBN 0-7566-1634-4.
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