Long-footed potoroo
| Long-footed potoroo | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Diprotodontia |
| Family: | Potoroidae |
| Genus: | Potorous |
| Species: | P. longipes |
| Binomial name | |
|
Potorous longipes Seebeck & Johnson, 1980 |
|
The long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes) is a species of potoroo found in southeastern Australia, in a small area around the coastal border between New South Wales and Victoria. It was discovered in 1967 when an adult male was caught in a dog trap in the forest southwest of Bonang, Victoria. It is classified as endangered.
The long-footed potoroo is the largest potoroo, and is very similar to the long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus). It is a solitary nocturnal creature, feeding on fungi, vegetation and small invertebrates. It differs from the long-nosed potoroo in its larger feet and longer tail.
Current threats to the species include predation by introduced feral cats and foxes, as well as logging within its limited range.
The scientific name of the animal commonly known as the long-footed potorro is Potorous longipes. Potorro is the common name for all of the four species belonging to the genus Potorous: Gilbert's potoroo (P. gilbertii), the long-footed potoroo (P. longipes), and the broad-faced potoroo (P. platyops), and the long-nosed potoroo (P. tridactylus) The long-footed potoroo is the largest potoroo, and is very similar to the long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus). The long-footed potoroo was first discovered in 1967 in the East Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia. It was later described in 1980. Remains of the long-footed potoroo were found in a predator droppings in 1986
The long-footed potoroo is a very rare marsupial only found in Australia. A potoroo is a small type of kangaroo-like marsupial, commonly referred to as a rat-kangaroo. They are about the size of a rabbit and their common name suggests, these animals have very long hind feet. These feet have long toes with very strong claws. They are the largest potoroos with males weighing up to 2.3 kg and females 1.4 kg. The entire body length is between 380–415 mm. The tail can be between 315-325mm in length while the hind foot between 103-114mm. This animal can be differentiated from other potoroos by its long back feet. Their long hind feet are the same length relative to their head. On their feet they have an extra footpad called the hallcual pad. The long-footed potoroos hop in a similar fashion to a kangaroo, yet they can use their tails to grasp objects. They have a soft dense coat with coloration of grayish brown fur that slowly fades into a lighter color on the feet and belly.
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