Fun Facts!

The tree kangaroo licks its forearms to keep cool.

Look for them in the tree tops, these kangaroos only leave the tree to eat.

These roos always climb up a tree by springing 2-3 feet off the ground and onto the trunk. Then they dig in their claws and climb up. When they climb down they never go headfirst.

Matschie's Tree Kangaroo

Dendrolagus matschiei

Physical Description

Matschie's tree kangaroos are marsupials, though much smaller than Australia's well-known red kangaroo with a body and head of 20-37 inches. These rare animals look similar in shape to the red kangaroo, however they have a brown coat, cream colored legs, pointed ears and a rounded snout which is also cream in color. An adult male weighs between 20-25 lbs and an adult female weighs between 15-20 lbs.

Habitat

Matschie's tree kangaroos can only be found in the Huon Peninsula of northeastern Papua New Guinea, living in some of the last undisturbed rain forest habitat in the world. They live in mountainous rain forests at elevations of 300-10,000 feet.

Diet in the Wild

The tree kangaroos eat leaves, fruits and mosses.

Behavior

Matschie's tree kangaroo lives alone, or if there is a joey, the father, mother and offspring will hang around together. They spend most of their time in trees, coming to the forest floor only to eat. Great jumpers, Matschie's tree kangaroo can leap up to 30 feet.

Status in the Wild / Conservation Efforts

These rare animals are endangered. Their habitat is being destroyed by logging and mineral and oil exploration and their lives are threatened by local hunters. Conservation efforts are a high priority. The Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program in Papua, New Guinea is working to establish a 150,000 acre reserve for the Matschie’s tree kangaroo in the rainforest through a community-based action organization. It stresses conservation outreach, community health, scientific research and education.

Life Span

It is unknown how long they can live in the wild, however they can live up to 20 years in captivity.