Swamp wallaby
The swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) is a small macropod marsupial of eastern Australia.[3] This wallaby is also commonly known as the black wallaby, with other names including black-tailed wallaby, fern wallaby, black pademelon, stinker (in Queensland), and black stinker (in New South Wales) on account of its characteristic swampy odour.
Historic names for the swamp wallaby include Aroe kangaroo and Macropus ualabatus, as well as banggarai in the Dharawal language.[5]
The swamp wallaby is found from the northernmost areas of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, down the entire east coast and around to southwestern Victoria. It was formerly found throughout southeastern South Australia, but is now rare or absent from that region.[4]
It inhabits thick undergrowth in forests and woodlands, or shelters during the day in thick grass or ferns, emerging at night to feed. Brigalow scrub in Queensland is a particularly favoured habitat.[4]
The species name bicolor comes from the distinct colouring variation, with the typical grey coat of the macropods varied with a dark brown to black region on the back, and light yellow to rufous orange on the chest. A light coloured cheek stripe is usually present, and extremities of the body generally show a darker colouring, except for the tip of the tail, which is often white.[3]
The gait differs from other wallabies, with the swamp wallaby carrying its head low and its tail out straight.[4]
