Crescent Nail-tail Wallaby
Onychogalea lunata
Conservation Status
ExtinctMammalia · Diprotodontia · Macropodidae
About
The crescent nail-tail wallaby, also known as the worong, is a small species of marsupial that grazed on grasses in the scrub and woodlands of southwestern and central Australia. They were common in Western Australia before they disappeared in the early 20th century and persisted in the central deserts until at least the 1950s. The pelage was soft and silky and an ashen grey colouring overall, highlighted in part with rufous tones. There were light and dark patches of fur across the body, the moon-like crescents inspiring their names, and had attractive stripes on the face. Like the two remaining species of the genus, the northern Onychogalea unguifera and rare O. fraenata, it had a horny spur at the tip of its tail. The species was compared to a hare or rabbit, in its habits, appearance and taste, and weighed around 3.5 kilograms.
Fun Fact
Finlayson reported in 1961 that he believed the species to be rare but still be extant, and gave the last record as one killed in 1956 between the Jervois and Tarlton Ranges of the Northern Territory.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Range of habitat in arid and semi-arid environments dominated by a variety of shrublands and woodlands.
Diet
To be updated
Lifespan
To be updated
Threats
- Habitat Destruction
- Overexploitation