This Tiny Wallaroo Wins the Internet

This tiny wallaroo practicing her hops wins the internet, hands-down. Or should that be paws-down? This post from thekangaroosanctuary in the Northern Territory, Australia, shares a sweet milestone for one of their little rescue roos. The sanctuary is known for rehabilitating and releasing kangaroos of all ages. However, their Baby Kangaroo Rescue Centre provides specialized care for orphaned joeys like Pippa until they, too, can be released into the wild.

The Common Wallaroo

Common wallaroos, Macropus robustus, are also known as Euros. They are a species of herbivorous marsupial called macropods, which also includes kangaroos and wallabies. Euros can be found across Australia, with the exception of Tasmania. They typically inhabit rocky hills and mountainous regions, but they may also live in the plains and grasslands. These animals have long, shaggy fur and hairless black muzzles. The males are commonly dark grey through dark reddish-brown. The females have similar coloration, but lighter.

Euros are smaller than their kangaroo cousins. Male kangaroos can reach over six feet tall and weigh around 200 pounds. However, Euro males only reach 3.5 feet and weigh a maximum of around 100 pounds. They can reach nearly five feet from head to tail and are stocky with pronounced musculature. Euro males are about twice the size of the females. So, little Pippa in the video above will grow no taller than about 2.5 feet. Her adult size will only be around 2.5-3 feet long from head to tail and her weight will be between 29-55 pounds.

Roo Reproduction

Euros can breed throughout the year with the right conditions. After a gestation period of about 30-40 days, the female gives birth to one joey. The newborn joey is less than an inch long and weighs around .025 ounces. Like most marsupials, the female Euro has a pouch. The tiny joey will climb up into the mother’s pouch and latch onto an elongated teat. This will hold them in place while they finish developing. The joey will remain primarily in the pouch for about eight months, but will continue to nurse until weaning begins at around 15 months.

The females often mate again right after the joey is born. They can retain a dormant embryo in the uterus for around seven months, or until the current joey leaves the pouch. So, at any given time, the female Euro may have a “joey at foot,” which is a joey that has left the pouch but is still nursing, a joey in the pouch, and a joey embryo in reserve. This continuous cycle is thought to be an adaptation to periodic drought, so that the dormant embryos can be saved for more favorable climactic conditions.

Caring for Orphaned Joeys

Drought, culling, and road accidents are thought to be the primary threats to Euros and other macropods. Joeys can live for several days after the death of the mother. So, if safety permits, wildlife experts request checking the pouches of deceased marsupials to see if there are any joeys that need help. Rescuers can reach out to local vets and wildlife organizations that will ensure the joey gets to the best caretakers.

Orphaned joeys should be suspended in an artificial pouch to try to mimic the natural experience. The inside of the mother’s pouch is hairless, and the skin is similar to the skin on our wrists. So, experts recommend soft, natural, breathable materials. Caregivers also suggest fleece that is made from natural fibers. The material needs to be easily washable, too, because joeys pee and poop in the pouch. They typically do not leave the pouch until they reach six months old. In the video above, Pippa is just learning to stand and hop, which indicates she is around six months old.

Even after the joeys have begun venturing out of the pouch, they still jump into their mother’s pouch to eat and sleep. Caregivers stress the importance of continuing those behaviors by keeping the pouch available. Plus, jumping in and out of the pouch is a great way for little ones like Pippa to build up their leg muscles before hopping off into the outback.