Lumholtz's Tree-Kangaroo

Dendrolagus lumholtzi

The Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo is a non-territorial and solitary animal, usually ignoring conspecifics even in the same tree. Adult individuals are inactive for about 90% of the time, spending 99% of their time in trees. These nocturnal animals are also known to feed and move occasionally by day. The Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos rest in the canopy, sleeping in a curled position and propped up by multiple branches. They feed in the canopy or middle zone, typically at the edge of the forest, where vines are in abundance. These kangaroos move upon the ground exclusively by bipedal hopping. They are usually nimbler in trees, hopping, moving their limbs both individually and in pairs as well as pulling themselves up with their arms.

Distribution and habitat

These animals are endemic to Northeast Queensland (Australia), distributed from the Daintree River in the north to the southern end of Cardwell Range in the south, from the rainforest/wet sclerophyll forest interface in the west to the ocean coast in the east. Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos mainly occur at high elevations in upland rainforests, being rarely found in lowland forests. They inhabit microphyll vine forests, complex and simple notophyll vine forests as well as cleared lands.

Diet

These herbivorous (folivorous) animals consume leaves of more than 37 plant species, including these of trees, vines, shrubs, epiphytes and flowers.

Life expectancy and breeding

Lumholtz's tree-kangaroos exhibit a promiscuous, non-seasonal mating system, in which a male and a female form a brief relationship, lasting a maximum of several days. They can live up to15 years in the wild.

Conservation Status

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo is estimated to be 10,000 - 30,000 mature individuals and is currently classified as Near Threatened.

Lumholtz's Tree-Kangaroo Fact Sheet

Billabong Zoo, Port Macquarie, NSW is home to Mindy a Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo