Musky Rat-kangaroo

Musky Rat-kangaroo
Musky Rat-kangaroo[1]
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
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.

Musky Rat-kangaroo

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]

References

  1. ^ 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. 
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ a b McKay, G. (Ed.). (1999). Mammals (p. 60). San Francisco: Weldon Owen Inc. ISBN 1-875137-59-9

External links