RED-NECKED WALLABY

The Bennett’s or Red-necked wallabies are distinguished by their black nose and paws, white stripe on the upper lip, and grizzled medium grey coat with a reddish wash across the shoulders. They are mainly solitary but will gather together when there is an abundance of resources such as food, water or shelter. Wallabies are mainly nocturnal. They spend most of the daytime resting. Red-necked wallabies are found in coastal scrub and sclerophyll forest throughout coastal and highland areas of eastern Australia. A female bears one offspring at a time; young stay in the pouch for about 280 days, after which females and their offspring stay together for only a month.

Like all kangaroos and wallabies, red-necked wallabies get around primarily by hopping, using their powerful hind legs and thick tail for balance — they can reach speeds of over 25 mph in short bursts when startled. A newborn wallaby, called a joey, is barely the size of a jellybean at birth and completes most of its development inside its mother’s pouch. See our red-necked wallabies at Plumpton Park Zoo — plan your visit.