The Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby has a long and bushy, dark rufous-brown tail that is bushier towards its tip. It has long, thick, brown body-fur that tends to be reddish on the rump and grey on the shoulders. The fur on its chest and belly are paler. It also has a characteristic white cheek-stripe and a black stripe from its forehead to the back of its head. It is relatively small and muscular, which enables it to be fast and agile in its rocky habitat. The average weight of this species is about 8 kg for males and 6 kg for females.
Distribution
The range of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby extends from south-east Queensland to the Grampians in western Victoria, roughly following the line of the Great Dividing Range. However the distribution of the species across its original range has declined significantly in the west and south and has become more fragmented. In NSW they occur from the Queensland border in the north to the Shoalhaven in the south, with the population in the Warrumbungle Ranges being the western limit.
Habitat and ecology
- Occupy rocky escarpments, outcrops and cliffs with a preference for complex structures with fissures, caves and ledges, often facing north.
- Browse on vegetation in and adjacent to rocky areas eating grasses and forbs as well as the foliage and fruits of shrubs and trees.
- Shelter or bask during the day in rock crevices, caves and overhangs and are most active at night.
- Highly territorial and have strong site fidelity with an average home range size of about 15 ha.
- Live in family groups of 2 to 5 adults and usually one or two juvenile and sub-adult individuals.
- Dominant males associate and breed with up to four females.
- Breeding is likely to be continuous, at least in the southern populations, with no apparent seasonal trends in births.