Mammal
Northern Nail-tail Wallaby
Onychogalea unguiferaAlso known as Sandy Nail-tail Wallaby, Northern Nailtail Wallaby
Northern nail-tail wallabies browse silently across arid savannas under cover of darkness, retreating to the shade of tussock grasses and low shrubs during the heat of the day. When startled, they flee at remarkable speed with their long tails held high in a distinctive vertical curl while sounding a rhythmic, guttural warning call. Unlike their endangered southern relatives, northern populations remain relatively secure across vast expanses of tropical Australia.
NocturnalMarsupialHerbivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyTriodia grass, Succulent herbs, Forb foliage
Predators
- Dingo
- Feral Cat
- Wedge-tailed Eagle
ThreatsFeral cat and fox predation, altered fire regimes, and pastoral habitat degradation
HabitatsArid shrublands, tussock grasslands, and open savanna woodlands
Life span6–10 years
Classification
- FamilyMacropodidae
- SpeciesOnychogalea unguifera
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotlighting: Use a red-filtered beam during night surveys to avoid dazzling and distressing them.
- Distance: Maintain a respectful distance of at least 15 meters to prevent triggering their flight response.
Competitor (c) Patrick Connolly, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator Jarrod Amoore from Sydney, Australia / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Thomas Mesaglio, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative John Gould, Henry Richter / Public domain · cc0
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