The Tree-kangaroos

Lucky you are if you come across a tree-kangaroo in the forest and actually get to see it! Often, the only evidence of a tree-kangaroo's presence is the sudden crash of leaves and branches followed by a thud as the very shy tree-kangaroo jumps from its lofty hiding spot and flee into the bush. Some tree-kangaroo sightings are simply that of a long, brown furry tail disappearing into the undergrowth.

The Wet Tropics is home to Lumholtz's and Bennett's Tree-kangaroos. Both stand no more than 60cm (2 feet) tall but their tails are almost a meter (3 feet) long. They spend most of their time in the tree canopy feeding on leaves and fruits.

The Lumholtz's Tree-kangaroo

Lumholtz's Tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) occurs mostly at high altitudes between Kirrama (in the southern Wet Tropics area) to Mt Spurgeon (in the northern Wet Tropics but south of the Daintree River). Generally solitary animal, small groups of up to four can sometimes be seen. A single young is produced and there appears to be no specific breeding season. It is nocturnal and spends the day crouched on a branch sleeping.

The Bennett's Tree-kangaroo

A little larger than Lumholtz's Tree-kangaroo is the Bennett's Tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus bennettianus). It resides at high and low altitudes north of the Daintree River in an area of only about 70km by 50km (44 miles by 31 miles).