Petrogale concinna Gould, 1842

Nabarlek

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Data Deficient (DD) external link Showing: scientific names

Media Center Navigation

Classification : Text | Graphic |
  

Table of Contents

Morphology

Physical Description

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
Animal Diversity Web external link
Copyright
©1995-2008, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors. Some rights reserved external link
Author
Cassandra Dunham, University of Michigan
Editor
Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan
Editor
Tanya Dewey, Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
Location
Source URL
View original data object external link
Citation
Dunham, C. and P. Myers. 2006. "Petrogale concinna" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed October 26, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Petrogale_concinna.html. 

 

Petrogale concinna has dull, reddish colored fur with light grey and black marbling. The belly is greyish-white. The tip of tail is black and bushy. The fur is short with a soft, silky texture. The soles of the feet are thickly padded and granulated in order to grip rock; these animals use skin friction rather than large claws to climb. Body size varies among individuals. Head and body length can range from 310-365 mm; the tail can range 260-335mm; hind feet can be 95-105 mm; ear length can be 41-45 mm; and weight can range from 1200-1600g g. (Menkhorst and Knight, 2004; Nowak, 1991; Taylor, 1984)

 

The teeth of Petrogale concinna are unique among marsupials. Throughout life, the molars of P. concinna continually erupt. The old molars are pushed forward until they eventually fall out in the front of the mouth. The actual number of molars is unknown. As many as nine molars can successively erupt, but there are seldom more than five molars in place at any time. Researchers believe this phenomenon could be an adaptation to the ferns that they eat, because fern tissue is extremely abrasive. (Nowak, 1991; Taylor, 1984)

 

As Petrogale concinna runs, it carries its body horizontally with its tail arched high over its back.

 
References
  • Menkhorst, P., F. Knight. 2004. A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  • Taylor, M. 1984. Mammals of Australia. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
  • Nowak, R. 1991. Walker's Mammals of the World. Baltimore & London: The John Hopkins University Press.
"Petrogale concinna Gould, 1842". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/325807". Accessed 21 Mar 2010.