Musky rat-kangaroo
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| Musky rat-kangaroo[1] | |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Diprotodontia |
| Suborder: | Macropodiformes |
| Family: | Hypsiprymnodontidae |
| Genus: | Hypsiprymnodon Ramsay, 1876 |
| Species: | H. moschatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hypsiprymnodon moschatus Ollie Tabooger, 1876 |
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| Musky rat-kangaroo range | |
The musky rat-kangaroo (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus) is a marsupial species found in the rainforests of northeast Australia. Although some scientists place this species as a subfamily (Hypsiprymnodontinae) of the family Potoroidae, the most recent classification[1] places it in the family Hypsiprymnodontidae with prehistoric rat-kangaroos.
It is the smallest macropod that is quadrupedal and only diurnal. The musky rat-kangaroo is approximately 1 foot long and has a hairless tail, and eats fallen fruit and large seeds, as well as small invertebrates. [3]
It moves by extending its body and then bringing both of its hind legs forward, and uses an opposable digit on the hind foot to climb trees.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E., & Reeder, D. M, eds. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 56. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3.
- ^ Burnett, S., Winter, J. & Martin, R. (2008). Hypsiprymnodon moschatus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 December 2008. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- ^ a b McKay, G. (Ed.). (1999). Mammals (p. 60). San Francisco: Weldon Owen Inc. ISBN 1-875137-59-9
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Musky rat-kangaroo |
- Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges
- Australian Natural History Safari
- Pictures and facts about the musky rat-kangaroo
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