Swamp Wallaby
Wallabia bicolor
Also known as: Queensland, Stinker, Black Wallaby
About This Species
A solitary, mostly nocturnal and crepuscular marsupial of dense forest, woodland, and coastal scrub in eastern Australia, this wallaby is most often seen at dusk or dawn browsing on ferns, shrubs, and fungi at forest edges and clearings. Its dark, almost black coat and low, sneaking gait through undergrowth distinguish it from more open-country kangaroos. Quiet observation near forest margins in the early morning or evening, particularly after rain when fresh browse is available, offers the best chance of a sighting.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- As with other wallabies, keep a distance of at least several metres and avoid direct approach, since these animals are shy and will flee if startled, potentially injuring themselves in dense cover.
- Native wildlife in Australia is protected under state and territory legislation, so deliberate harassment, feeding, or capture is generally prohibited without a permit.
- Moving slowly, staying quiet, and never attempting to corner or hand-feed an individual are the safest practices.
Seasonal Activity
482,158 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Diprotodontia
- Family
- Macropodidae
Photo
(c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Erik Schlögl
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.