RED-SHANKED

DOUC MONKEY
'" CARD iITJ
"' GROUP 1: MAMMALS
" ' ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
.... ORDER .... FAMILY .... GENUS &: SPECIES
~ Primates ~ Cercopithecidae ~ Pygathrix nemaeus
The red-shanked douc is one of the most colorful of all monkeys.
Once common in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, its
population was devastated by the bombs of the Vietnam War.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Height: 1 ~ - 2 ft. Male slightly
larger than female .
Length of tail: About 2 ft.
Weight: Female, up to 10 lb.
Male, up to 15 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 5 years.
Mating season: Adults may time
mating to produce young in a
season when food is available.
Gestation: 5-6 months.
No. of young: 1.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Social and peaceful. Forms
small groups.
Diet: Mainly leaves; some fruit.
Lifespan: 25 years or more.
RELATED SPECIES
The black-shan ked douc, Pygathrix
nigripes, is of the same genus. The
Chinese snub-nosed monkeys,
Rhinopithecus, are closely related.
FEATURES OF THE RED-
SHANKED DOUC MONKEY
Male and female
doucs are very
similar. The male
is slightly larger. Hands: Black,
with short
thumbs. Broad
white cuffs.
Coat: Very colorful-the douc is
known as the "costumed ape."
Mainly grayish mixture of black
and white fur on body.
Legs: Chestnut
brown below
knees. Thighs
are black.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Range of the red-shanked douc monkey.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in virgin and partially cleared forests in central Vietnam
and eastern Laos. Thought to have once extended over a
much wider range.
CONSERVATION
The red-shan ked douc monkey was hunted extensively in the
past. Threatened with extinction in its natural environment since
the Vietnam War, it is now a protected species in Vietnam.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Face: Bare.
Orange-yellow,
but darkens if
the douc spends
time in the sun.
"Beard" of long
white hairs.
0160200491 PACKET 49
The red-shanked douc and its close relative the
black-shanked douc belong to a tree-dwelling group
made up of colobus and leaf monkeys, known
collectively as langurs. Members of this large and varied
group are characterized by the absence of cheek
pouches and by their short thumbs. They are also noted
for the fact that leaves are the mainstay of their diet.
~ H A B I T S
Across its range in Vietnam and
Laos, the red-shanked douc's
preferred habitat is mature rain-
forests at altitudes of about
6,500 feet. But so much of this
land has been destroyed that
the douc is now also found in
younger forests.
The red-shan ked douc once
lived in groups of 60 or more.
But its groups now number only
about 12 members, generally
with more females than males.
Living in treetops, the red-
shan ked douc is very agile. It
can easily jump across a gap of
20 feet, landing feetfirst on a
chosen branch. Although it for-
ages in the trees for hours each
day, the red-shan ked douc is
not the most active of monkeys.
It prefers to doze among the
branches or to groom other
members in the group.
When startled, a group of red-
shanked doucs may make loud
barking noises and become very
active in the trees, slapping at
branches with their hands and
feet. But when they leave the
trees, the members of a group
move through the forest very
quietly in order to avoid attract-
ing attention.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
Like most colobus and leaf
monkeys, the red-shanked
douc feeds mainly on leaves
and supplements this diet with
fruit. During the day, the douc
monkey spends a good deal of
its time foraging for the large
quantity of leaves that it needs
for adequate nourishment. The
red-shan ked douc has a large
stomach, which is divided into
sacs that contain bacteria to
help digest plant cellulose.
The douc seems to be quite a
Left: The red-shanked douc faces
extinction in the wild but is being
bred successfully in zoos worldwide.
DID YOU KNOW?
The red-shanked douc mon-
key is called the "costumed
ape" because of its bright col-
oration. The word douc is of
ancient Vietnamese origin.
Even though it is thought to
be closely related to the douc
monkey, Brelich's snub-nosed
monkey does not eat leaves. It
fussy eater. It randomly plucks
leaves and fruit from trees but
then examines the pickings
carefully. It throws down old
leaves and under- or overripe
fruit, littering the forest with
unwanted food.
Feeding is a quiet activity, and
members of the group do not
squabble or fight among them-
selves while they collect food.
They have even been seen of-
fering their leaves and fruit to
one another.
Right: The red-shanked douc feeds
mainly on leaves, which it inspects
carefully before eating.
seems to feed on wild cherries,
pears, and cucumbers.
When playing, douc mon-
keys partially bare their teeth
and thrust their chins forward.
They may also close their eyes
and paw at each other.
Both colobus and leaf mon-
keys have short thumbs.
The red-shan ked douc has rare-
ly been observed in the wild, so
little is known about its breed-
ing habits. Most monkeys of
this group time their mating so
they produce young in a season
when food is plentiful.
The female douc makes the
first sexual advances. She lies
face down on a branch in the
mating position and eyes her
chosen mate over her shoulder.
The male responds by staring
at her and then shifting his gaze
Left: The douc's orange face and
colorful fur make it a very distinc-
tive monkey.
Left: Not only
were the red-
shanked doucs
almost wiped
out by the
bombs of the
Vietnam War,
but they were
also used by
soldiers for tar-
get practice.
to a place suitable for mating.
The single young is born with
its eyes open and is able to cling
to its mother. It is covered with
short, downy hair and has a
dark stripe down its back. The
coat reaches the adult color by
the time the douc is 10 months
old. The skin on its face gradual-
ly lightens as the douc gets older.
Observation of other leaf mon-
keys shows that an infant is of-
ten cared for by others in the
group as well as by the mother,
and it is even suckled by other
females. The douc is fully grown
when it is five years old.
'" CARD 212 I
PIKA


ORDER
Lagomorpha
FAMILY
Ochotonidae
GENUS
Ochotona
Pikas have a unique way of coping with winter, when there is little
vegetation in their range. They build "haystacks" of food in fall,
which they dry and store to eat during the bleak winter months.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 5-12 in., depending on
the species.
Weight: 4-14 oz., depending on
the species.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Ranges from 1
month to 1 year.
Breeding season: Spring to sum-
mer, depending on the species.
Gestation: 20-30 days.
Litter size: 3-13, depending on the
species. Usually more than 1 litter.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Live singly or in pairs, family
groups, or colonies.
Call: Most species highly vocal.
Diet: Mainly vegetation.
Lifespan: North American species,
up to 6 years. Asian species, up to
4 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 1 7 species in Asia and 2
in North America.
Range of pikas.
DISTRIBUTION
The North American species are found in the Rockies, extend-
ing northward to Alaska and the Yukon. The Asian species live
in Asia and the U.S.S.R.
CONSERVATION
Because of their remote habitats, pikas were unknown to scien-
tists until the 18th century. Today they are used as laboratory
animals in some countries.
FEATURES OF A ROCK-DWELLING PIKA
The stack of veg-
etation is dried
between piles of
rocks near the
burrow.
Body: Small and shaped like a rat, a rock-
dwelling pika has short, broad, rounded
ears and no visible tail. Its coat varies
from grayish to yellowish brown.

storage: A ling pika
prepares for winter by gathering huge
ttnts')f vegetation, which it dries
In the sun and stores in "haystacks."
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200551 PACKET 55
Pikas are found in the Rocky Mountains
of North America and in the colder regions of Asia.
Although they belong to the same order as rabbits and
hares, these small furry animals look more like guinea pigs.
Most pikas are highly vocal, and they are able to
"throw" their voices just as ventriloquists do.
~ BEHAVIOR
Most pikas live in rocky crev-
ices. But some pikas, such as
the steppe pika, live in burrows
like rabbits. Steppe pikas and
rabbits have a similar social
hierarchy, with entire families
living in large systems of under-
ground warrens.
The North American pika lives
singly in its own territory, which
it defends vigorously. Males
and females have adjacent ter-
ritories that often overlap.
Another species, the north-
ern pika, lives in pairs for most
of its life.
All pikas are active by night
and day, and they usually
move about alone.
Top left: A pika will spend hours
sitting on a rock, basking in the
sunshine.
DID YOU KNOW?
The steppe pika's call can
be heard 330 feet away.
Pikas are also called piping
hares, whistling hares, or call-
ing hares because of their
vocal habits.
Pallas's pikas build three-
foot-long rock piles around
their dens and runs.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
Pikas usually forage for food at
sunrise and in late afternoon.
They often travel outside their
territories to find food. Pikas eat
most vegetation, which they
cut with their chisel-like teeth.
During the fall pikas gather as
much food as possible and store
it for the winter. Many species
dry the food in the sun before
storing it under a rock. One
species piles stones around its
food store to protect it.
Like rabbits and hares, pikas
eat some of their own drop-
pings, from which they get
essential vitamins and carbohy-
drates. This practice enables
them to get the most out of
the vegetation they eat, which
is not highly nutritious.
Below: This North American pika
is also known locally as the rock
rabbit.
The "haystacks" of North
American pikas are about two
feet high. A Pallas's pika's stack
weighs 35 to 45 pounds.
Pikas' feet have hairy soles
that are good for gripping
sheer rock.
Some pikas dig tunnel sys-
tems in the snow.
Above: In the
fall, a pika be-
gins to gather
food for the
winter.
Right: The elu-
sive alpine pika
periodically
leaps out onto
rocks to call to
other pikas.
Pikas that live in burrows pro-
duce the largest litters. The
steppe pika produces the most
offspring, probably because its
habitat offers little protection
from predators, and the spe-
cies incurs high losses.
In a breeding season that
lasts only a few weeks, the
steppe pika produces three or
four litters with three to thir-
teen young in each. The ges-
tation period is 20 to 24 days,
and the young can breed at
three or four weeks of age.
Young steppe pikas grow
quickly. Within five days of
birth, they weigh about half
an ounce-double their birth
weight. Although they are
quite active by this time, they
do not open their eyes until
they are eight or nine days old.
The mother suckles the young
for three weeks. They leave the
nest three or four days later.
Top right: The open plains that the
steppe pika inhabits offer little pro-
tection from predators.
CARD 213 1
ALPINE MARMOT
"' ___________________ GROUP 1:
.,. ORDER ... FAMILY ... GENUS & SPECIES
Rodentia Sciuridae Marmota marmota
The alpine marmot spends most of its life underground, where it
rears its young and hibernates. This stocky, short-tailed rodent
has thick claws that are blunt from digging.
--"I KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 16-21 in.
Weight: In spring, 5-8 lb. In fall,
8-12Ib.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2 years.
Breeding season: Spring.
Gestation: About 5 weeks.
Litter size: 1-7.
Weaning: About 6 weeks.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Burrowing. Lives in territorial
family groups. Hibernates through-
out the winter.
Diet: Leaves and flowers of herbs
and grasses.
Calls: Piercing whistles.
Lifespan: 15-18 years in captivity.
RELATED SPECIES
The genus Marmota contains 10
species of marmot: 4 in Eurasia and
the other 6 in North America.
Range of the alpine marmot.
DISTRIBUTION
Native mainly to the western and central Alps and the Carpa-
thian Mountains. Introduced into parts of the eastern Alps,
the Pyrenees, and the Black Forest in western Germany.
CONSERVATION
The alpine marmot is hunted for sport. It is not currently at risk,
but it could become endangered in the future because it has a
slow breeding rate and a limited mountaintop habitat.
HE ALPINE MARMOT'S HOME
f. ,,""
"'. '- -,(:- .... ,,"'\ .....
' ''. Site: The marmot digs Its summer
" burrow near the snow tine on a sunny
, slope that faces south. There may also
be a far more complex wi nter burrow
lower in the valle .
MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILpM PRINTED IN U.S.A. US P 6001 12 054 PACKET 54
The alpine marmot was widespread over lowland
Europe during the last Ice Age. Having adapted to the
cold, the animal retreated into the cooler mountains
when the climate began to get warmer. Today the
alpine marmot is frequently seen on the grassy slopes
below the mountain peaks of central Europe.
~ BEHAVIOR
The alpine marmot is a small,
burrowing mammal. It lives in
central Europe on open, sunny
slopes above the tree line at
altitudes of up to two miles.
The alpine marmot uses its
forepaws to dig its burrow.
It pushes back debris with its
hind feet and loosens large
stones with its teeth. A burrow
has several entrances, roomy
living chambers lined with dry
grass, and dead-end tunnels
that are used as latrines. Large
burrows may be the work of
many generations.
Alpine marmots live in family
groups made up of a dominant
breeding pair and its offspring.
The family marks its territory
with scent, and the members
beat their tails and rattle their
teeth to drive off intruders.
Right: The alpine marmot often
stands on its hind legs. Here it is
bending over to nibble at an itch.
~ BREEDING
In early spring the alpine mar-
mot emerges from hibernation
to begin breeding. Early mat-
ing ensures that the young will
be sufficiently developed by
winter to survive.
After mating, the female car-
ries bedding material into the
burrow and remains there to
give birth. The average litter
contains three young, born
blind and helpless. After six
weeks, the young venture out
of the nest and forage for food.
By the end of summer, their
f ur turns to the color of the
adults' fur. They reach full size
after their second year.
Far left: Even
though the
alpine marmot
is plump, it is
agile and can
easily scale
steep slopes.
Left: Alpine
marmots have
close family
bonds. Young
marmots stay
close to their
mother and
within reach
of the burrow
even when they
are playing.
Below right:
A pair of mar-
mots cautious-
ly sniff a plant
before starting
to eat it.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The alpine marmot leaves its
burrow to feed in the cool
morning and afternoon. It can-
not tolerate heat and may not
feed at all on very hot days.
The marmot eats the leaves
and flowers of young plants,
holding them in its forepaws
as it nibbles. It also eats spiders
and worms. It feeds voraciously
in order to build up a thick layer
of fat to sustain it during its
winter hibernation.
~ HIBERNATION
Near the end of summer, family
members bring old stems into
the burrow to serve as bedding.
In October they plug up the
burrow entrances in prepara-
tion for their winter sleep.
As winter falls, the marmots
huddle in the bedding cham-
ber and fall into a deep torpor.
Their heart rate drops to five
beats per minute, and they
breathe only one to three
times a minute, so that they
use up their stored energy as
slowly as possible. Their body
temperature falls, almost match-
ing that of the burrow. But if
the temperature approaches
the freezing point, they quick-
en their heart rate and breath-
ing and burn more energy to
avoid freezing.
DID YOU KNOW?
The alpine marmot can bur-
row in ground so hard that a
pick can barely penetrate it.
The marmot often rests on
the mound of displaced soil
that accumulates at its bur-
row entrance.
A North American marmot
Winter is the time when the
most marmots starve, because
their summer fat reserves run
out. This may result from excep-
tionally cold weather or from
warm weather that causes the
animals to burn up fat too fast.
Below: A marmot lets hay dry in the
sun before taking it into the burrow.
colony built a burrow system
with 76 entrances in an area
of only 0.03 square miles.
The alpine marmot was
once widely hunted for its
fat, which was believed to
relieve rheumatism when it
was rubbed into the skin.
'" CARD 214 I
THREE-TOED SLOTH

,. ORDER
"IIIIIIII Edentata
FAMILY
8radypodidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
8radypu5 tridactylu5, torquatu5, & variegatu5
Among the strangest mammals, three-toed sloths spend most
of their time hanging upside down. These solitary, slow-moving
creatures live in the trees of South America tropical rainforests.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 1 6-28 in.
Tail, in.
Weight: 9-10 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Male, 5 years.
Female, 3-4 years.
Breeding season: Probably March
and April.
Gestation: 5-6 months.
No. of young: 1 .
LIFESTYLE
Call: Characteristic "ai-ai" noise.
Habit: Solitary; very slow moving.
Active by day and night.
Diet: A wide variety of leaves.
Lifespan: Less than 12 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The 2 species of two-toed sloth,
Choloepus didactylus and C. hoff-
manni, are related but belong to
a different family.
Range of three-toed sloths.
DISTRIBUTION
The brown-throated sloth lives in forests from southern Vene-
zuela and the Guianas to northern Brazil. The pale-throated
sloth ranges from Honduras to Argentina. The maned sloth is
found only in northeastern Brazil.
CONSERVATION
Three-toed sloths are widespread and common. Like all forest
mammals, they are threatened by habitat destruction.
FEATURES OF THREE-TOED SLOTHS RAINFOREST ADAPTATIONS
Feet: 3 toes on each fore- and hind
foot, closely bound together with tis-
sue and covered in skin and hair.
Leathery palms give a
sloth a good grip on
branches.
Limbs:
Arms are con-
siderably longer than
hi nd limbs. A sloth uses
them to pull itself along branches.
Claws: Strong and curved, 3 on
each foot. Give a sloth a
vicelike grip around
branches.
Senses: Sight
and hearing are
poor, but smell
and touch are
well developed.
c MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE A T FILpM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
A three-toed sloth is agile and
well adapted to life in the trees.
When hanging upside down, rain
drains off its underside via a part-
ing of the fur along its belly.
1 PA
Three-toed sloths probably spend more time in the trees
than any other South American forest mammal.
In fact, a three-toed sloth may spend its entire life
living in the same tree. There are three species of
three-toed sloth-the maned, the brown-throated,
and the pale-throated--and they all share the
same distinctively sluggish way of life.
~ HABITAT
It was once thought that three-
toed sloths lived only in Cecropia
trees (a species of trumpetwood
tree), feeding on their leaves. It is
now known that they live in at
least 96 other tree species whose
leaves they eat. The myth about
their exclusive habitat arose be-
cause it is only in the open can-
opies of Cecropia trees that
sloths are easily seen.
A male sloth may live in one
tree throughout his life, but the
female moves into other areas.
She leaves her original range
for the young to inhabit.
Unlike most mammals, a
three-toed sloth cannot keep
its body temperature constant.
Because it loses heat rapidly if
the air temperature drops, it
can survive only in a warm, hu-
mid environment.
One of the slowest moving of
all mammals, a three-toed sloth
moves upside down along tree
branches. It uses its long limbs
and powerful claws to pull itself
forward in a hand-over-hand
motion. It moves at a speed of
about one-third of a mile per
hour and travels less than 45
yards in a day. A three-toed
sloth spends many hours hang-
ing motionless from a branch.
Its grip is so strong that it can-
not be broken even when the
sloth is asleep.
~ BREEDING
Like all sloths, a three-toed sloth
is solitary. It is not known how
male and female come together
for mating. But the "ai-ai" cry of
both sexes may help to bring
them together since the cry
seems to increase during March
and April, when mating occurs.
The male sloth scent-marks
branches with secretions from
an anal gland. Sloths also defe-
cate and urinate at the base of
Left: Unable to support its body
weight on its limbs, a sloth must
drag itself along the ground.
DID YOU KNOW?
A three-toed sloth may
spend 18 hours a day sleep-
ing and dozing.
After a meal, a sloth's stom-
ach contents can make up a
third of its body weight.
A species of gigantic South
American ground sloth called
Megatherium became extinct
certain trees, possibly to leave
signals for other sloths.
The female gives birth in a tree
and tends the single, very small
offspring by herself. The young
sloth clings to the fur on its moth-
er's chest and suckles for one
month. It then eats leaves, but it
continues to cling to its mother
for up to eight months more. If it
is separated from her, it makes
bleating noises until she returns.
Right: A young three-toed sloth
clings constantly to its mother for
its first nine months.
only in the last several hun-
dred years.
A sloth's grip on a branch is
so strong that if killed it will
hang until it decomposes.
Mites, beetles, and tiny
moths live in a sloth's coat
and feed off algae that grow
in the hairs.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
A three-toed sloth's diet consists
of leaves. Because it processes
food slowly and is so inactive, it
has little need of food for ener-
gy-a young deer of the same
weight eats seven times as
much food.
A three-toed sloth is most
active when it is searching for
and eating food. Unlike two-
toed sloths, which feed at night,
three-toed sloths feed during
daylight. Since it has poor hear-
ing, a sloth uses smell and touch
to locate food and find its way
through the trees.
Left: Three-toed sloths must eat
many leaves to satisfy their nutri-
tional requirements.
Left: Three-
toed sloths
usually hang
motionless in
the treetops,
but they are
surprisingly
good swim-
mers. They may
even cross rivers
in search of
new food
sources.
A sloth plucks leaves slowly
with its thick, horny lips and,
with its rough tongue, pushes
food toward the teeth at the
back of its mouth. Chewing is
slow, and digestion can take up
to a month. To cope with its
diet of leaves a sloth's stomach
has several compartments con-
taining bacteria that enable it to
digest cellulose (the main com-
ponent of plants).
Although sloths belong to the
order Edentata, meaning tooth-
less, they have cheek teeth for
chewing fibrous leaves. These
teeth have no enamel and grow
continually, since they are worn
down by chewing.
" CARD 215 I
FOUR-HORNED ANTELOPE
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
... ORDER
'11IIIIIIII Artiodactyla
FAMILY
Bovidae
... GENUS &: SPECIES
'11IIIIIIII Tetracerus quadricornis
The four-horned antelope does not always live up to its name.
In some males the two front horns never appear, and the
female of the species has no horns at all.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 3-4 ft.
Height: About 2 ft . to shoulder.
Weight: 33-55 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Unknown.
Mating: July to September.
Gestation: 7- 8 months.
No. of young: 1-3.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sol itary or lives in pairs.
Diet: Leaves, bulbs, shoots, grass,
herbs, and fruits. Daily water
essential.
lifespan: Up to 10 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The closest relative is the nilgai,
Boselaphus tragocamelus, which
lives in India on grassland and in
sparse forests. Nil, a Hindi word for
blue, refers to the nilgai's coat,
which turns from brown to blue-
gray as it matures.
Range of the four-horned antelope.
DISTRIBUTION
The four-horned antelope is found in India and Nepal, in hill-
side forest edges close to open ground and water.
CONSERVATION
The number of four-horned antelopes in the wild is hard to es-
timate because this species keeps itself concealed most of the
time. It has been the victim of hunters and habitat destruction
and is not common in any part of its range.
FEATURES OF THE FOUR-HORNED ANTELOPE
Coat: Short and tawny.
White underside,
inner legs, and
face patches.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Horns: Present only on male. Rear horns
grow to approximately 4 inches in length.
Supplementary horns at front of head
reach a maximum length of 2 inches.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200511 PACKET51
There is still a great deal to be learned about the habits
of the four-horned antelope. This shy, cautious animal
frequently lives in an inaccessible habitat. It needs a good
supply of water and never strays far from a permanent
source. Hidden for most of the day, the four-horned
antelope emerges at sunrise and sunset to feed.
~ HABITS
The four-horned antelope's pri-
mary need is a water source to
drink from at least once a day.
The water supply may be a
lake, pond, or even a village
water tank. The antelope also
requires shelter with good graz-
ing close by, which it finds in
meadows, parks, or at forest
edges. The four-horned ante-
lope is rarely seen feeding be-
cause it runs to the shelter of
trees at the slightest sign of dan-
ger. When it is not feeding, it
stays concealed in undergrowth.
There it chews its cud, out of
sight of predators and away
from the heat of the sun.
Once a four-horned antelope
has chosen a territory, it seems
to remain in that area for many
years. As is the case with other
antelopes, much of its habitat
has been lost to agriculture.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The four-horned antelope
feeds mainly at dawn and
dusk, emerging from cov-
er to graze on grasses and
herbs. It also eats the young
left: The extra frontal horns of the
four-horned antelope are small
compared to the main pair.
Right: The
four-horned
antelope does
not seem to use
calls or visual
displays to
make its pres-
ence known.
Instead, it
stakes outa
territory by def-
ecating in spe-
cific places or
by using glands
on its face,
groin, and legs
to scent-mark
vegetation.
leaves, buds, and shoots of
bushes and trees. But before
eating a plant or a leaf, most
antelopes will sniff it to see if
it is nutritious.
Right: Although it is primarily a
grazer, the antelope also browses
on trees and shrubs.
I DID YOU KNOW?
The ancestors of modern
cattle closely resem bled the
four-horned antelope.
In India the four-horned
antelope is known as the
chousingha, or "fou r horns."
The four-horned antelope
is the only mammal that has
~ BREEDING
The four-horned antelope
mates between July and Sep-
tember. During this period,
the male antelope can be-
come very aggressive.
It is thought that the four-
horned antelope pairs for life,
since most are seen alone or in
pairs. During the mating sea-
left: The female leaves her fawn in
dense vegetation, where it is hid-
den from predators.
four horns. Its head was
prized by trophy hunters.
Leopards, tigers, jackals,
and dholes all prey on the
four-horned antelope.
Only the outside of an
antelope's horn is true horn.
The core is made of bone.
son, however, a buck may gath-
er four or five does around him.
Approximately eight months
after mating, between one and
three young are born. Like most
antelope species, the female
four-horned antelope proba-
bly leaves her young hidden in
the relative safety of the under-
growth while she grazes on
more open land, returning at
intervals to nurse them.
ANGORA GOAT
"'______________ GROUP 1: MAMMALS
.. ORDER .. FAMILY .. GENUS & SPECIES
Artiodactyla Bovidae Capra hircus
The Angora goat is famous for its luxurious curly coat, which is the
source of the fiber mohair. Originally bred in Turlcey, the goat
was named for the province of Ankara, or Angora.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Height: ft. at the shoulder.
Weight: Femal e, 75 lb. Male,
110 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Female, about 6
months but often mated at 1 8
mont hs. Male, 18 months.
Breeding season: September to
February.
Gestation: 5 months.
No. of young: Usually 1, but twins
are common.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable, inquisitive, and
playful.
Diet: Fibrous, woody vegetation;
herbs; and grass.
lifespan: 14-15 years but often
culled earlier.
RELATED SPECIES
Related to all other breeds of goats,
including the Saanen, Toggenburg,
and Anglo-Nubian.
Range of the Ahgora goat.
DISTRIBUTION
First bred in Turkey and now raised in South Africa, Lesotho,
the United States, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand.
CONSERVATION
Mohair represents about one percent of the world's output of
natural fibers, but demand is growing steadily. The number of
Angora goats worldwide is certain to increase.
Ooat: The Angora g{)at's thick coat is the source of the fiber mohair. Mohair is
more luslfOtlS thal'l wool beoause eacl:! fiber is smooth and not covered with the
overlappi ng seales tMat w(;l ol has. The Ang:oral s dl wny undemoaf prodwC8S
cashmere but many ot her types of goats to cashmere prGdl:fction as
wel l. Angora wool comes from Angora rabbits, l'lot the Angora oat.
Head: The
Angora's head,
especially the
muzzle, has a
thinner, shorter
covering of
wool than its
M CII IMP BVIIMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Body fat:
Despite its
very thick coat ,
the Angora
goat needs
shelter in cold,
wet weather.
It feels the
cold because it
has a relativel y
thin layer of
body fat.
0160200561 PACKET 56
There are approximately seven million Angora goats
in the world. They are raised almost solely for fiber
production. Each year Angora goats supply the textile
industry with nearly 28,000 tons of mohair. Today
the leading producer of mohair is South Africa.
~ ORIGIN
Like all domestic goats, the An-
gora is descended from the wild
goat of Persia. Wild goats typi-
cally have long hair on parts
of their bodies, and they grow
thick coats in winter. Both natu-
ral and artificial selection caused
these traits to become fixed.
Goats that were kept in the
Angora province of Turkey be-
came renowned for the quali-
ty of their coats. Turkey then
became the leading producer
of mohair and closely guarded
this trade. In 1838 Angoras
left the country for the first
time, when 12 males and a
female were shipped to South
Africa. Today South Africa is
the world's leading producer
of mohair, followed by the
United States and Turkey.
~ H A B I T A T
Goats in the wild live in small
groups on the slopes of rocky
hills and mountains. These sure-
footed climbers roam craggy
uplands that only a few other
animals can reach. Flocks of
domestic Angoras live remark-
ably similar lives in the moun-
tains of Turkey. In contrast,
Angoras in South Africa live
on veldt (shrubby grassland) .
Today the Angora goat is
being raised more intensively
for the production of mohair,
and it is confined to fenced
pastures. Because it is adept
at escaping, the Angora is usu-
ally kept behind an electric
fence. Strong wire netting is
also widely used.
Right: Angora goats provide
mohair and cashmere fibers.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
Like its wild relative, the An-
gora goat feeds on shrubs
more than grass. Its favorite
foods are fibrous brambles,
twigs, and woody shrubs, but
it also feeds on more tender
plants. Free-ranging herds are
often left to eat whatever veg-
etation their habitat offers. In
South Africa, they eat karoo
scrub and spekeboom, a com-
mon shrub. In New Zealand,
goats are used to clear farm-
Left: Angora goats are friendly
animals.
DID YOU KNOW?
To protect their exclusive
supply of mohair, the Turkish
sultans prohibited the export
of Angora goats for centuries.
In 1838, when a doe and 12
bucks were exported to South
land of sweet briar and gorse.
Such unrestricted diets often
result in poor-quality mohair
and a low rate of reproduction.
For this reason, many Angora
goat farmers fence in their
flocks on top-quality pasture-
land. In winter the goats are
provided with hay or silage.
Dietary supplements may be
supplied to pregnant Angora
does (females) and to does
with kids (offspring).
Right: Angoras often stand on
their hind legs to reach food.
Africa, the bucks were found
to have been castrated. But
the doe was pregnant and
gave birth to a male kid. In
this way the South African
mohair industry began.
~ ANGORA GOAT &: MAN
The Angora is bred for its coat,
which is the source of mohair.
This fiber is silky, warm, light, fire
resistant, mothproof, and easy
to dye. It is in great demand for
high-quality fabrics. The goats
are sheared twice a year-usual-
ly six weeks before the young
are born and six weeks before
mating. Angora goats also pro-
vide skins for leather, and their
meat is eaten in many countries.
~ BREEDING
The breeding season begins in
fall. The doe comes into season
(is ready to mate) every 18
to 23 days. She indicates her
readiness by bleating and wag-
ging her tail. The buck (mature
male) begins to call insistently
and develops a musky odor.
Although Angora goat farm-
ers often let their goats mate
naturally, they sometimes con-
trol breeding by confining a
buck and bringing females to
him. Artificial insemination is
sometimes used to introduce
fresh bloodlines into a flock.
Angora bucks are frequent-
ly mated with does of other
breeds. After five generations
are mated with Angoras, the
offspring are upgraded to full
Angora status.
"' CARD 217 I
SUGAR GLIDER
____________________________
... ORDER ... FAMILY ... GENUS & SPECIES
Marsupialia Petauridae Petaurus breviceps
The sugar glider is one of the most striking Australian mammals.
Launching itself from the top of a tree, this marsupial acrobat
can glide for a distance of almost 200 feet.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Head and body length: 6-8 in.
Tail length: 6-8 in .
Weight: 3-5 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 7-1 0 months.
Mating season: Usually August.
Gestation: 3 weeks.
No. of young: 1-3, usually 2.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Active at night; nests in
groups of up to 12.
Diet: Gum, sap, nectar, pollen,
insects and their larvae.
Call: Shrill yapping to warn of
predators.
Lifespan: 10 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 2 other species in the
genus Petaurus: the fluffy glider,
P. australis, and the squirrel glider,
P. norfolcensis.
Range of the sugar glider.
DISTRIBUTION
The sugar glider is found in Tasmania and neighboring islands,
in the forests of eastern and northern Australia, and as far north
as New Guinea.
CONSERVATION
The sugar glider is one of the most abundant native Australian
mammals, but its preferred habitat of patchy, open forest is
threatened.
FEATURES OF THE SUGAR GLIDER
Patagium: This layer of thin, furred
skin stretches from the wrist to the
ankle of the hind limb. It helps the
animal glide . . Eyes: Large and
bulging, typical of a
. nocturnal animal.
Coat: The upper parts are gray with a dark
stripe from nose to rump. The underparts are
pale yellow or gray. The face has several stripes.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Flight (viewed
from below) :
The curvature of
the patagium
can be altered to
. adjust the flow
of air over it,
causing a
change in
direction.
Tail: Long, fluffy,
and nonprehen-
site (cannot grip
a support firmly) .
Used somewhat
like a rudder to
change direc-
tion when
gliding.
0160200591 PACKET 59
Competition for food is keen in the dense Australian forests
where most sugar gliders live. This tiny animal's ability
to "fly" between the trees gives it a strong advantage.
Not only can it move quickly from one food source
to another, but it also avoids potential predators.
~ HABITS
The sugar glider lives in the for-
ests of Australia, Tasmania, and
New Guinea. It prefers open for-
est where it has enough space
to glide from tree to tree.
Active at night, the sugar glid-
er spends the day in a nest in a
hollow of a tree. This social crea-
ture nests in groups of up to 12
individuals. In summer these
groups may become smaller.
When constructing its nest,
the sugar glider often hangs by
its feet from a branch and grabs
leaves with its hands. It may also
use its feet and tail to collect
leaves. It then scuttles along a
branch to a suitable hollow-
unable to glide because of the
leaves' bulk.
As it moves about the forest
at night, the sugar glider calls
to other group members. It has
good hearing and a highly de-
veloped sense of smell. It can
identify other members of its
group by their odor.
Right: In order to obtain protein,
the sugar glider eats insects as well
as gum and sap.
~ BREEDING
The male sugar glider has scent-
marking glands on his forehead,
chest, and near his anus. Scent
is part of its mating ritual. Dom-
inant males also spread their
scent among group members.
Mating usually occurs in Au-
gust, depending on the avail-
ability of food. In the nest, a
male first rubs scent from his
forehead on a female's chest.
To accept a partner, the female
rubs her head on the male's
chest. Sugar gliders do not form
pair bonds, and a female may
mate with several males.
The gestation period is three
weeks, and usually two young
are born. Dependent on their
Left: Just before landing on a tree
trunk, the sugar glider pulls itself
upright to slow down.
DID YOU KNOW?
The sugar glider is one of
the most common native
Australian mammals.
The sugar glider's nest is
notorious for its foul smell,
which comes from the ani-
mals' urinating on the leaves
mother, the blind newborns
weigh a fraction of an ounce.
The mother helps her new-
born into her pouch, where
each immediately latches onto
one of her four nipples. The
babies develop quickly on her
protein-rich milk and leave the
pouch after about 1 0 weeks,
when they are too big for the
mother to carry about.
The young stay in the group
nest for the next month. When
they are about 15 weeks old,
they first accompany their moth-
er on feeding forays. The young
are almost independent at this
stage, but they may stay at the
nest for several years.
Right: With her powerful claws, a
mother sugar glider can cling to
stems when carrying her young.
to dampen them down.
The sugar glider's generic
name is Petaurus, which is
derived from the Latin word
petaurum-referring to a
springboard that was used
by Roman athletes.
r
1.8- SPECIAL ADAPTATION
The sugar glider can "fly" up
to 200 feet between trees be-
cause of its p a t a g i u ~ a thin,
furred membrane that forms
a rectangular area stretching
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The sugar glider gets its name
from its fondness for sweet sap
and gum. It prefers the gums of
eucalyptus and acacia trees. It
also eats pollen, nectar, insects,
and insect larvae.
The trees that give the sugar
glider so much of its food are
not common and are often
spread out in the forest. The
sugar glider is able to use this
food source because it can trav-
el quickly over long distances.
When it finds a suitable tree,
the sugar glider grips the trunk
from the wrist to the ankle of
the hind limb. When the ani-
mal is not gliding, the mem-
brane is visible only as a dark,
wavy line along its flanks .
---1
with its powerful claws. Clamp-
ing its sharp teeth into the bark,
it laps up the sweet sap with its
tongue. It vigorously defends a
good feeding site.
Tree sap and gum help sustain
the sugar glider's active lifestyle,
but these carbohydrate-rich
foods do not provide enough
energy for reproduction. In
order to reproduce, the sugar
glider needs to eat protein-rich
insects and pollen, so it usually
breeds only in times when in-
sects abound.
"'" CARD 218 1
JERBOA
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
... ORDER
"1IIIIIIII Rodentia
FAMILY
Dipodidae
GENERA
Various
Although they are closely related to rats and mice,
jerboas look more like miniature kangaroos as they hop
across the desert sands in search of food.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Body length: 1 ~ - 6 in.
Tail length: 3-10 in .
Hind foot length: 1-3 in.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 11 weeks.
Mating season: Varies, depending
on where the species lives. Most
species breed twice a year.
Gestation: 3-6 weeks.
No. of young: 2-6 in each litter.
Average, 3.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Usually solitary. Some desert
jerboas live in small groups.
Diet: Various fruits, plants, seeds,
and some insects.
Lifespan: Thought to be 2-3 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 31 species of jerboa in 11
genera. They are all closely related
to rats and mice.
TWO JERBOA SPECIES
Mongolian five-toed jerboa,
Allactaga bullata. Found in
western China and Mongolia.
MCMXCII IMP BVIIMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Range of jerboas.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in desert, semidesert, and steppe regions of North Africa
and Eurasia east to Manchuria.
CONSERVATION
Jerboas are in no danger. They are preyed upon by animals in
arid regions and sometimes hunted by desert tribes. In some
years great numbers of young jerboas die as a result of floods
or extreme droughts.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Desert jerboa, Jaculus jaculus.
Found in North Africa, the U.S.S.R.,
Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
0160200611 PACKET61
/erboas live in areas that offer very little cover-
deserts, semideserts, and the vast, treeless grasslands
of Russia and China. In order to survive, these tough
rodents live in underground burrows, where they
are protected from heat as well as cold.
~ HABITS
Jerboas are usually solitary, but
they may form loose colonies.
Jerboas live in underground
burrows, which they dig with
their small front paws. They use
their huge back feet to kick soil
or sand out of the way.
Desert jerboas often build
complex burrows with food
chambers, living quarters, and
escape hatches. At depths that
reach six feet, these burrows
protect jerboas from the sun's
intense heat. Some Asiatic jer-
boas also build winter burrows
in which they hibernate.
~ SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS
Jerboas are well adapted to
their environment. A jerboa's
back feet are four times as long
as its front paws and covered
in fine fur. They act like snow-
shoes on the soft sand, spread-
ing a jerboa's weight to keep
it from sinking. The long tail-
with its flattened, hairy tip-
also helps a jerboa stay on the
sand or soil without sinking.
Most rodents run from pred-
~ FOOD & FEEDING
Jerboas forage for food during
the night. They feed mainly
on seeds and plants, and they
sometimes dig up roots. A few
species eat beetles and other
insects. Other species eat fruit,
especially melons. They feed
on the soft flesh and juice but
ignore the hard seeds, which
their weak jaws are unable to
process. These species have
left: A jerboa's extended back legs
enable it to hop great distances.
ators, but jerboas hop away,
covering 1 0 feet in one leap.
They can veer sharply to the
right or left and reach speeds
of 15 miles per hour.
Some jerboas, such as the
great jerboa, have large ears
that lose heat and help the an-
imals stay cool. Others, such
as desert jerboas, have folds of
skin that close over their nos-
trils when they are digging.
become pests to fruit farmers.
Jerboas hop quickly and
cover a great deal of ground
in a single leap. As a result,
they are able to travel long
distances on their hunting
trips with a minimum amount
of effort. They sometimes dig
temporary burrows in which
to rest during their long forag-
ing trips.
Right: Most desert jerboas have
sand-colored coats.
~ BREEDING
Most jerboas breed twice a
year. Northern species proba-
bly mate after their winter hi-
bernation so the young will be
born when food is plentiful.
Three to six weeks after mat-
ing, the female gives birth to
two to six young. The hairless
babies use their forepaws to
drag themselves along the
ground. The long back legs do
not develop for several weeks,
and the young cannot hop
until they are 11 weeks old.
Young jerboas are weaned
at 8 weeks of age and are sex-
ually mature at 14 weeks.
left: A keen-sighted jerboa hops
out at night to find food.
DID YOU KNOW? I
In very hot areas, some
jerboas go into a state of
torpor, or semihibernation,
until the temperature cools.
Others hibernate in winter,
living off their body fat.
Some desert jerboas can
leap three feet into the air.
Some jerboas plug up
their burrow entrances to
to keep out hot or cold air.
In World War II, General
Montgomery's troops in
North Africa were called
/I desert rats" after the jer-
boas in that region.
Jerboas are preyed upon
by almost all mammals as
well as birds and snakes.
ORYX
"'=
... ORDER
Artiodactyla
FAMILY
Bovidae
CARD 219
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS & SPECIES
Oryx leucoryx, O. dammah, O. gazella
Oryx have a remarkable ability to survive in harsh desert
conditions. They constantly roam the savannas of Africa in search
of water, and they are able to sense rainfall far away.
.-----\1
KEY FACTS

li1
SIZES
Length: Body, 5-8 ft . Tail , 1 ft.
Height: ft . to shoulder .
Weight: 220-460 lb.
Horns: 2-5 ft. long.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 years.
Mating: Year-round.
No. of young: 1 .
Gestation: 8-1 0 months.
Weaning: About 4 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable; travel in herds.
Diet: Grasses, herbs, berries,
leaves, bulbs, fruits.
Lifespan: 20 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 3 oryx species-the
Arabian oryx, Oryx leucoryx; the
scimitar oryx, O. dammah; and
the South African oryx, O. gazella.
The East African oryx, O. gazella
beisa is a subspecies.
Original range of oryx.
DISTRIBUTION
The Arabian oryx is now found only in Oman. The scimitar oryx
now occurs only in Chad, but was once found in northern Africa
from Senegal to the Sudan. The East African oryx is found from
Eritrea to Tanzania. The South African oryx occurs in southern
Africa, especially Namibia and South Africa.
CONSERVATION
Hunting and habitat loss have greatly reduced the number of oryx.
FEATURES OF THE EAST AFRICAN ORYX OTHER ORYX SPECIES
Coat: Light grayish brown with white
underparts, black and white mark-
ings on the head, and a black line
down the throat and across the
flanks. Like the South African
oryx, it has a short mane.
Horns: Long and
almost straight.
The horns slope
backward and
oryx species,
it has facial
markings.
Legs: Long and slender.
Broad hooves support the
animal 's weight on soft sand.

"
Scimitar oryx: The smallest oryx.
Long, curved horns. Pale coat
with rusty brown neck, chest ,
face, and flanks.
.. South African oryx: The largest
... _ 1 oryx, also known as the gemsbok.
Gray coat with dark brown on
flank and tops of legs.
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM PRINTED IN USA. 0160200661 PA KET
Also known as desert antelope, oryx once roamed
in great numbers throughout the desert regions of Arabia
and Africa. But because of their beautiful horns and hides,
these creatures were killed for many decades by hunters
seeking trophies. Oryx have also suffered from the loss of
their habitat. They are now endangered animals in many
areas, and some species survive primarily in captivity.
~ HABITS
Oryx herds may have only six or
over a hundred members. They
roam the African savannas look-
ing for food and water. To rest,
they usually dig shallow beds
under trees or large shrubs.
A cow leads the oryx herd in
its search for water or a sleeping
place, while the dominant male,
or alpha bull, brings up the rear.
If the cow loses the way, the al-
pha bull moves to the front and
stands sideways to put the herd
back on course. He then leads
the group for a while.
Some herds have only males;
others are made up of families;
and still others are all-female
harems led by one alpha bull.
Bachelor males frequently roam
alone. They test each other in
horn fights, but these are usual-
ly harmless rituals.
Oryx are prey for cheetahs and
lions. Their young are attacked
by smaller predators such as hy-
enas and jackals. If threatened,
an oryx kneels and lowers its
head, ready to bring its pierc-
ing horns up into its attacker.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
Oryx need water and succulent
vegetation to survive in their dry
habitat. Because the rainfall is so
unpredictable, oryx drink when-
ever they can, usually from wa-
ter holes or streams. They graze
on grasses, shrubs, and herbs
and also eat juicy roots, bulbs,
and even melons.
Oryx can sense distant rainfall.
A herd may travel hundreds of
miles to feed on new vegetation.
Oryx can find even tiny trickles
of water and will unearth succu-
lent roots or dig holes in dried-
up riverbeds to reach ground
water. To conserve their body
Left: The East African oryx lives in
semidesert areas in Ethiopia.
-- --
I DID YOU KNOW?
Oryx can sense rainfall so
well that one animal traveled
over 50 miles in response.
Oryx are highly valued for
their hides, which make good
leather. Their heads and horns
are prized by hunters as tro-
phies. African tribesmen once
used the horns as tips for their
spears. Oryx meat is consid-
fluids and avoid water loss from
panting, oryx stay in shade dur-
ing the hottest part of the day.
At a water hole, a noisy con-
flict may break out between two
different herds, even if there is
enough water for all. But this
contest is usually only a suprem-
acy display or a bloodless lock-
ing of horns.
Because they eat food low in
nutrition, oryx must spend long
hours feeding. Some herds in
southern Africa may graze from
sunrise to mid-morning and
then graze again in the after-
noon until sunset.
Right: Oryx usually drink from wa-
ter holes but may dig for water.
ered a delicacy and is believed
to have medicinal properties.
Leucoryx, the scientific name
for the pale Arabian oryx spe-
cies, comes from leucos, the
Greek word for "white."
The Arabian oryx became
extinct in the wild in the 1970s,
but it has now been reintro-
duced in Oman.
l
Oryx mate at any time of year.
When courting, the bull and
cow run in what is known as a
mating circle. They also pace up
and down and lock horns. A fe-
male that is not ready to mate
deters the male by standing be-
hind him. When ready, she low-
ers her head and lets the male
approach. He gives her a ritual
kick between the rear legs be-
fore they mate.
Left: Once common in northern
Africa, the scimitar oryx is now
found only in Chad.
Arabian oryx
is specially
adapted to
the desert. Its
white coat re-
flects the sun,
while its dark
legs absorb
heat from the
ground dur-
ing cold early
mornings.
A single calf is born after eight
to ten months. Birth can occur
at any time of year but is usually
between September and Janu-
ary. The calf weighs 20 to 30
pounds. It has a tufted tail and
a brown hide with markings on
the tail and knees. Males have
tufts of hair on their throats.
After four months, the calf can
feed on its own. It stays with the
parent herd for a while but rests
or grazes away from its mother.
The calf reaches sexual maturity
at one and a half to two years.
PADEMELON
""'"-------
~
ORDER
Marsupia/ia
FAMILY
Macropodidae
'\\: CARD 220 I
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS
Thy/oga/e
Pademelons are small wallabies that become active at twilight.
During the night they usually roam alone, foraging for plants
and leaves in their rainforest habitat.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Body: 1 ~ - 2 ~ ft. Male usually larger
than female.
Tail: 11-20 in.
Height: 16-20 in.
Weight: 4-27 lb.
BREEDING.
Sexual maturity: 1-2 years.
Breeding season: All year, de-
pending on climate.
Gestation: 1 month.
Litter site: 1, very rarely 2.
Weaning: Young live in pouch for
6-7 months.
LIFESTYLE
Range of pademelons.
DISTRIBUTION
Habit: Solitary; active at night.
Diet: Leaves, grasses, berries, and
succulent plants.
Lifespan: About 4-5 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The red-legged pademelon lives along Australia's eastern coast
and in New Guinea. The red-necked pademelon is found in
New South Wales. Tasmanian and New Guinea species are lim-
ited to their respective and nearby islands.
CONSERVATION The red-legged, red-necked, Tas-
manian red-bellied, and New
Guinea pademelon all belong to
the genus Thy/ogo/e.
The red-bellied pademelon has disappeared from the Aus-
tralian mainland. Other species are threatened by habitat loss.
I FEATURES OF THE RED-LEGGED PADEMElON
The four species of pademelon are very similar. The red-
legged pademelon (shown here) has reddish brown legs.
Tail : Held out
stiffly while
hopping.
Arms: Short but strong. Used for
clearing passages in forest habitat
and for digging snow to find food
in mountainous territories.
Strength of arms is an
important factor in
determining the
rank of the male.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Ears: Quite
large. Hearing is
well developed.
Legs: Large. But
pademelons are
not as good at
jumping as most
wall abies and
kangaroos.
0160200511 PACKET 51
Also known as shrub wallabies, the four species of
pademelon are similar in behavior and appearance.
Well adapted to their forest home, they use their
strong arms to clear tunnellike passages in the
dense undergrowth. They hop along these paths,
looking for food. Unlike most wallabies, however,
pademelons are not very good at jumping.
~ HABITS
During the day pademelons
sleep in thickets and under
bushes. During twilight and
at night they become active.
With their large eyes they see
well in the dark, dense forest.
Pademelons are adept at clear-
ing long passageways through
the undergrowth with their
strong arms. They use the same
paths again and again in their
search for food. This ritualized
behavior enables them to learn
escape routes from predators
like foxes and dingoes.
Although pademelons are
solitary animals, they have a
social hierarchy within a cer-
tain area. Rank is determined
by size and weight, but the
strength of an animal's arms
is also a factor in establishing
its status.
If a pademelon is disturbed
within its territory, it becomes
curious and may let an intrud-
er get very close before run-
ning away. A pademelon often
stamps its hind feet twice when
approached. If there is no an-
swering signal, it hops away.
But if the visitor also stamps
twice, the pademelon may
wait to see who it is.
~ FOOD &: FEEDI NG
Although they forage alone,
pademelons may feed near
others if a rich supply of food
is discovered. Grass is their
staple food, but pademelons
that live near the coast of
Queensland or in New South
Wales also eat berries, leaves,
and fruit. When feeding,
pademelons grind their flat-
tened cheek teeth together
with a steady motion.
A pademelon tends to leave
the forest at the same time
Left: The red-legged pademelon is
the only Australian species also
found in New Guinea.
DID YOU KNOW?
The New Guinea pademel-
on, Thylogale brunii, is named
after Cornelis de Bruyn, a
Dutch painter who saw one
kept as a pet in Indonesia in
1 714. He was the first Euro-
pean to publish a description
of a kangaroo or wallaby.
The pademelon used to be
each night, taking the same
route to search for food. For
safety, it comes out only after
dark to feed in nearby mead-
ows. But it never strays far
from the shelter of the forest.
During severe winters, espe-
cially in Tasmania, pademerons
use their strong arms to clear
the snow away from plants.
Finding food is seldom a
problem for any of the pade-
melon species, and fights over
food are rare.
Right: The strongest male pade-
melon occupies a territory at the
edge of the forest.
hunted for its fur and meat.
The name pademelon is
believed to come from an
Aboriginal word, paddymal/a.
Most pademelons have a
territory of about one-tenth
of a square mile, but the red-
bellied pademelon's may be I
seven times as large. ~
Pademelons tend to breed
whenever weather conditions
allow. The red-bellied pademel-
on species breeds seasonally,
depending on the severity of
winters in the mountains. The
red-necked pademelon living
in Queensland's rainforests
may breed year-round.
When she is sexually recep-
tive, the female is pursued by
several males. The chase usually
follows a set course along paths
that form either a figure eight or
left: The female carries t he grow-
ing young in her pouch for about
six months.
left: Pademel-
ons have pow-
erful arms for
digging. The
red-bellied
species of
Tasmania
and nearby
islands some-
times damages
crops when
looking for
food.
a semicircle. Mating takes place
soon after the chase has ended.
The male pademelon does not
stay with the female to help rear
the offspring.
A month after mating, a tiny
young is born, weighing a frac-
tion of an ounce. On rare occa-
sions, twins are born. Although
the mother gives birth to only
one offspring, she has four teats.
The immature pademelon lives
in its mother's pouch, feeding
on her milk, for six or seven
months unti l it can fend for
itself. It reaches sexual maturity
at one to two years of age.