Tree kangaroo | Chester Zoo animals

About

Tree kangaroos are marsupials and listed as Endangered by the IUCN as they face a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild.

They mainly inhabit the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea and are herbivores with a love for leaves.

With long curved claws, rubbery soles, strong arms and a long tail for added balance, they are expert leapers. They can also downwards jump from nine metres without being hurt.

Their stocky arms also help them to climb and grasp onto tree trunks, jumping from tree to tree effortlessly.

Tree kangaroo facts

SPECIES

I am a mammal

Their full name is Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo, but they're also referred to as an ornate tree kangaroo.

FOUND IN

Indonesia

The tree kangaroo is most found in Central and Eastern Papua New Guinea.

HABITAT

Rainforests

Tree kangaroos choose to live in dense tropical rainforest as well as deciduous forests within mountainous ranges.

DIET

Herbivore

Goodfellow's tree kangaroos have a chambered stomach for breaking down and absorbing a tough diet of flowers, grasses and leaves.

BEHAVIOUR

Solitary and slow

Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo is a territorial and solitary animal.

At birth, the joey immediately climbs into its mother's pouch, living there for up to the first year of its life.

AVERAGE SIZE

Around 11kg

They grow to up to 58cm long.

LIFE SPAN

8 - 14 years

But they can live up to 23 years with human care.

ZOO LOCATION

Islands

You'll find the tree kangaroo next to the Southern cassowary.

IUCN red list statusEndangered

Threats

Human intervention

Hunting or collection

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