Rufous rat-kangaroo

Aepyprymnus rufescens

The rufous rat-kangaroo, also known as the rufous bettong, is a small marsupial species of the family Potoroidae found in Australia. It is found in coastal and subcoastal regions from Newcastle in New South Wales to Cooktown in Queensland, and was formerly found in the Murray River Valley of New South Wales and Victoria. It is not classified as threatened. The rufous bettong is about the size of a full grown rabbit.
rufous rat-kangaroo (Aepyprymnus rufescens) also known as the rufous bettong, wikipedia claims theyre about the size of a full grown rabbit but this is not very accurate this is a juvenile bettong and she would have been about 60cm tall ...also from the central queensland gemfields they are nocturnal and is the only member of its genus, and is the largest of all the potoroids smaller relatives of the kangaroos and wallabies, and may be ancestral to that group. Aepyprymnus rufescens,Australia,Geotagged,Rufous rat-kangaroo,australian native,kangaroos,marsupials,potoroids,wallabies

Appearance

The rufous rat-kangaroo is the only member of its genus, and is the largest of all the potoroids. It is generally grey with a hint of reddish brown and its scientific name means ''reddish high-rump''. It was once thought of as a solitary nocturnal animal, but recent observation indicates that the rufous rat-kangaroo may form loose, polygynous associations.
Rufous_Bettong Aepyprymnus rufescens,Australia,Fall,Geotagged,Rufous rat-kangaroo

Reproduction

Breeding times occur throughout the year, once the female has reached maturity. This is generally at 11 months. The male reaches maturity between 12 and 13 months. Once mature, the female is capable of breeding every three-week intervals. Once successfully bred, the gestation of the young is just under a month, about 22–24 days. The young is born fully formed and lives within the pouch for about 16 weeks. Upon leaving the pouch, the Joey will stay near the mother for about 7 weeks, while it gets used to fending for itself.
Rufous rat-kangaroo - Aepyprymnus rufescens Pairi Daiza, June 2008. Aepyprymnus rufescens,Rufous rat-kangaroo

Food

It feeds mostly on tubers and fungi, but also on leaves and other vegetation.

References:

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Status: Least concern
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderDiprotodontia
FamilyPotoroidae
GenusAepyprymnus
SpeciesA. rufescens
Photographed in
Australia
Belgium