Tammar Wallaby

The tammar wallaby is one of the smallest wallaby species and is best known for its compact size, shy nature, and remarkable adaptability to dry coastal environments. With a grey-brown coat, a pale belly, and reddish colouring on the arms and thighs, the tammar blends easily into the scrublands and heath where it shelters during the day. Its short, rounded face and large, alert ears give it a curious, gentle appearance.

This wallaby is mainly nocturnal, emerging at dusk to graze on grasses and browse low shrubs. It prefers open scrub and coastal bushland and is highly adapted to arid conditions. The tammar wallaby conserves water efficiently and can survive long periods without drinking, getting most of its moisture from food.

Tammars are social animals, often seen in small groups, and they are surprisingly agile. Their strong hind legs and long tail help them hop swiftly and maintain balance across uneven terrain. Though small, they can leap impressive distances when startled.

Females carry their young, called joeys, in a pouch for up to nine months. Tammars have a unique reproductive trait known as embryonic diapause, where a fertilised embryo pauses development until environmental conditions are ideal or until the pouch is free — allowing females to space out births even when mating occurs months earlier.

Tammar wallabies are found naturally on some islands off the coast of South and Western Australia, as well as some reintroduced populations on the mainland. While they have declined in parts of their historical range due to habitat loss and predators, they remain a conservation success story thanks to breeding programs and habitat restoration.

Tammar wallabies have excellent night vision, which helps them forage in the dark. Their eyes can reflect light like a cat’s, giving them an eerie glow when caught in torchlight at night.