The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Petrogale penicillata

Common Name(s)

Brushtailed rock wallaby

Family

Macropodidae

Habitat

Brushtailed rock wallabies inhabit the cliff faces and steeper areas that are still vegetated. They mainly feed on grasses, but coprosma species, pôhutukawa and râta are also a common part of their diet.

Description

Brushtailed rock wallabies’ coat is bluish grey on the back and reddish-orange on the belly, with a bushy tail. There is a white to buff cheek-stripe and black dorsal stripe across the head.

Similar Species

Macropus dorsali, Macropus eugenii eugenii, Macropus parma, Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus and Wallabia bicolour

Threat To Plants

Grazing of palatable species, which my alter species regeneration and vegetation

Distribution

Restricted to Kauwau Island; eradicated from Rangitoto and Motutapu Island

Measurements

Weight: <5kg; head to body length: 550mm

Year Introduced

1873

Reason For Introduction

Curiosity

Colonisation History

First introduced to New Zealand on Motutapu Island in 1873 by J. Reid , quickly expanded they range across to Rangitoto Island. Further rock wallabies were released on Kawau Island in the 1870s by Sir George Grey.