Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo

Have you ever heard of a kangaroo that lives in trees? Lumholtz's tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) has adapted itself to a tree-dwelling life in the rainforests of Queensland in the north-east of Australia. It is about the size of a large dog, it has a long furry tail and its ears are short and rounded. The colour of the body is buff to black.

Tree kangaroos differ from the rest of the kangaroo family by having forelimbs and hindlimbs of almost equal length. These kangaroos climb with agility and speed and can make 10 m downward leaps from tree to tree. Unlike other kangaroos, the tree kangaroo can move each back leg independently.

The cushion-like pads underneath their large feet covered with rough skin prevents them from slipping. The nails on their forefeet are much larger than those of other kangaroos and give them a better grip while climbing. The furry tail is used for balancing. They can jump out of a tree and land on all fours, like a cat. On the ground they take short leaps.

Complete herbivores, they feed mainly on the leaves of trees and creepers, ferns and a variety of wild fruits. Australia's tree kangaroos have become rare because their rainforest habitat has been reduced, but they can still be found where rainforests survive.