Rufous Rat-kangaroo

Taxobox
name = Rufous Rat-kangarooMSW3 Groves|pages=57]


status = LC
status_system = iucn3.1
status_ref = IUCN2006 | assessors = Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group | year = 1996 | id = 40558 | title = Aepyprymnus rufescens | downloaded = 31 December 2006]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
infraclassis = Marsupialia
ordo = Diprotodontia
familia = Potoroidae
genus = "Aepyprymnus"
genus_authority = Garrod, 1875
species = "A. rufescens"
binomial = "Aepyprymnus rufescens"
binomial_authority = (Gray, 1837)

The Rufous Rat-kangaroo ("Aepyprymnus rufescens"), also known as the Rufous Bettong, is a small species of the family Potoroidae found in Australia. It is found in coastal and subcoastal regions from Newcastle in New South Wales to Cooktown in Queensland, and was formerly found in the Murray River Valley of New South Wales and Victoria.cite book|last=Menkhorst|first=Peter|year=2001|title=A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia|publisher=Oxford University Press|pages=100] It is not classified as threatened.

The Rufous Rat-kangaroo is the only member of its genus, and is the largest of all the potoroids. It is generally grey with a hint of reddish brown and its scientific name means "reddish high-rump".cite book|last=Strahan|first=R.|year=1995|title=The Mammals of Australia: the national photographic index of Australian wildlife|publisher=Reed Books|pages=758] It was once thought of as a solitary nocturnal animal, but recent observation indicates that the Rufous Rat-kangaroo may form loose, polygynous associations. It feeds mostly on tubers and fungi, but also on leaves and other vegetation.

Breeding times occur throughout the year, once the female has reached maturity. This is generally at 11 months. The male reaches maturity between 12 and 13 months. Once mature, the female is capable of breeding every three-week intervals. Once successfully bred, the gestation of the young is just under a month, about 22-24 days. The young is born fully formed and lives within the pouch for about 16 weeks. Upon leaving the pouch, the Joey will stay near the mother for about 7 weeks, while it get used to fending for itself.

References

External links

* [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Aepyprymnus_rufescens.html Animal Diversity Web]
* [http://www.yaraandoo.com.au/bettongs.html Yaraandoo - Rufous Bettong]
* [http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/profile.aspx?id=10033 NSW Threatened Species]