Skip to Main Content
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance logo
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Library logo

Parma Wallaby (Macropus parma) Fact Sheet: Summary

Parma Wallaby Macropus parma

Parma Wallaby (Macropus parma) Fact Sheet

parma wallaby sitting upright

Parma Wallaby (Macropus parma)

Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

 

Taxonomy Physical Characteristics

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Diprotodontia - koalas, wombats, possums, macropods (kangaroos, tree kangaroos, wallaroos, etc.)

Family: Macropodidae - kangaroos, wallabies

Genus: Macropus

Species: Macropus parma - Parma wallaby

Body Weight
Male: 4.1-5.9 kg (9.0-13.0 lb)
Female: 3.2-4.8 kg (7.1-10.6 lb)

Head-body Length
Male: 482-528 mm (19.0-20.8 in)
Female: 447-527 mm (17.6-20.7 in)

Tail Length
Male: 489-544 mm (19.2-21.4 in)
Female: 405-507 mm (15.9-20.0 in)

Pelage
Dark reddish-brown to gray-brown

Distribution & Status Behavior & Ecology

Range
Southeastern Australia

Habitat
New South Wales, from Sydney north to Gold Coast

IUCN Status
Near Threatened (2015 assessment)

CITES Appendix
Not listed

Other Designations
U.S. Endangered Species Act: Endangered

Population in Wild
No recent estimates; 1992 estimate: 1,000-10,000 individuals.
Population decreases over past 200 years due to habitat loss and introduction of red fox.

Locomotion
Two- and four-legged hopping. Near horizontal position, close to the ground.

Activity Cycle
Primarily nocturnal, like most macropods. Active just before dawn.

Social Groups
Typically solitary; may feed in groups of 2 or 3.

Diet
Primarily grasses and herbs; some shrubs, trees, and fungi.

Predators
Red fox, Vulpes vulpes

Reproduction & Development Species Highlights

Sexual Maturity
In the wild: females: 12-36 months; males: 20-24 months
In managed care: females: 11-16 months; males: about 22 months

Gestation
About 35 days

Litter Size
1

Interbirth Interval
Females come back into estrus 45-105 days after the young is born.

Birth Weight
About 0.5 g (0.02 oz)

Age at Weaning
Completed at 9-12 months old

Typical Life Expectancy
Wild populations: 6-8 years, on average
Managed care: median life expectancy of about 5-6 years

Feature Facts

  • The name "parma" comes from the Aboriginal word for this species.
  • Once thought to be extinct; a reintroduced population was discovered in New Zealand in 1965 and in Australia in 1967.
  • Small size; smallest member of the genus Macropus
  • Small home range size
  • Males produce soft clucks when courting females; also vigorously paw at females.
  • Threats to survival include loss of forest habitat (agriculture and livestock grazing), predation, and collisions with vehicles.
  • Successful breeding programs in zoos

About This Fact Sheet

© 2013-2015 San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

 

How to cite: Parma Wallaby (Macropus parma) Fact Sheet. c2013-2015. San Diego (CA): San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance; [accessed YYYY Mmm dd]. http://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/ parmawallaby
(note: replace YYYY Mmm dd with date accessed, e.g., 2015 Sep 10)

 

Disclaimer: Although San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance makes every attempt to provide accurate information, some of the facts provided may become outdated or replaced by new research findings. Questions and comments may be addressed to library@sdzwa.org.

SDZWA Library Links