Sharman's rock-wallaby
Common name: Sharman's rock-wallaby
Scientific name: Petrogale sharmani
Conservation status: Sharman's rock-wallaby is 'Endangered' in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992).
Description: Sharman's rock-wallaby is a s mall macropod. The adult male averages 4.4kg and adult females average 4.1kg. Head length of males averages 112mm and female 107mm. Tail length of males averages 515mm and females 465mm. They are generally grey-brown above and paler sandy brown on the underparts, limbs and at the base of the tail. Pale cheek stripes and slight mid-dorsal head stripe are occasionally present. The tail darkens to almost black distally (the end of the tail).
Habitat and distribution: Sharman's rock-wallaby has a restricted distribution, centred on the Seaview and Coane Ranges, west of Ingham. It inhabits rocky slopes, rocky outcrops, boulder piles, cliff lines and gorges, usually associated with tropical woodland with a grassy understorey.
Behaviour and life history: Sharman's rock-wallaby is active in twilight during winter while basically nocturnal in summer. It seeks shelter in caves, or deep crevices and fissures in rock or under boulders or in dense vegetation during the heat of the day. It sunbakes in the early morning and late afternoon in cooler weather by sitting on exposed rocks or ledges. It feeds in surrounding woodland during the night. The rock-wallaby is highly social and forms colonies of up to 80 individuals.
There is no distinct breeding season. Young are produced continually throughout the year. Both sexes mature at around 18 months. Gestation period and oestrous cycle are 30-32 days and pouch life is 6-7 months.
Threatening processes: The Sharman's rock-wallaby is vulnerable to disturbances, chance events and catastrophes because of its restricted distribution. Land clearance, mining, exotic predators, degradation of habitat by feral and domestic herbivores and changed fire regimes are also suspected to affect this species.
Recovery actions:
- Feral animals, such as wild dogs and feral cats, should be controlled in areas of known wallaby habitat.
- Landholder education concerning this species should be encouraged and management of cattle grazing regimes developed to enable rock-wallaby populations to increase while maintaining agricultural production.
- All extant populations should be located and selected populations regularly monitored.
- A survey of Hinchinbrook Island is required to determine if this species is present.
- Research is needed to better understand this species' biology and ecology.
Last updated: 31 August 2006