Monjon
- The monjon is the smallest species in its genus, with a body and head length of 300 to 350 millimeters and a weight of 950 to 1400 grams. The length of its hind foot is 80 to 92 mm.
- In captivity it has lived about 10 years.
- The wallaby is nocturnal and hides in crevices.
- It has a short tail with a tuft.
- The main threats are fires and predators.
- It feeds on grasses and ferns.
- It is little studied.
Age
The monjon has a typical lifespan of from 4 to 7 years, although its theoretical lifespan extends from 5 years 10 months to 12 years 5 months. The species reaches sexual maturity at an age ranging from 1 year to 1 year 10 months. An embryo develops rapidly inside the mother before birth; afterward, the young lives in the mother’s pouch, is nourished by milk, and grows for a duration of from 5 months to 6 months and 3 weeks. The eyes of the young open between 4 months and 5 months and 1 week. The species then transitions into an adult stage, which lasts from 1 to 7 years, during which time it is capable of reproduction and independent foraging.
Phenotype
The monjon has short, dense fur that aids in camouflage among rocks; the species’ powerful hind legs allow for rapid jumps across cliffs; the tail is long and serves as a balancing aid during jumps; adult warabis possess these features.
Physiology
The Barbial wallaby is a species with a body length ranging from 30 to 35 cm and a weight from 0.9 to 1.35 kg. During embryonic development, this species exhibits the following indicators: body weight 0 g, body length from 1 mm to 1.5 cm. Newborn Barbial wallaby joeys have a body weight from 1 to 350 g and a body length from 3 to 20 cm. Adult individuals reach a body weight from 0.9 to 1.35 kg and a body length from 30 to 35 cm.
Habitat
Monjons inhabit elevations up to 400 meters above sea level and are found in tropical savannas with hot temperatures and uneven rainfall, as well as temperate steppes characterized by abundant grasses and few trees, where rainfall occurs. The species occupies terrestrial landscapes including grasslands, steppes, grassy areas, and rocky terrain. The climate varies; winters have little precipitation, while summers bring more rain, and the species experiences hot conditions with minimal winter rainfall and heavy summer rains. Throughout the year, monjons live in consistently hot environments with frequent rainfall, although periods of dryness can occur.
Shelter
Monjons inhabit rocky outcrops and boulder piles. The species utilizes dens for shelter, constructing them from grasses. These dens serve multiple purposes, including reproduction, resting, and protection from the sun.
Geography
Monjons are found within the biogeographical region of Australasia, specifically inhabiting two tropical savanna ecosystems: the Arnhem Land tropical savanna and the Kimberley tropical savanna.
Feeding
The wallaby barbija feeds on plants that grow in rock crevices, using a foraging method—plucking grass; its diet consists of grasses, leaves, shoots, herbage, young shoots and seedlings. The species uses a feeding strategy involving searching for and obtaining food, as well as grazing. A male's daily food requirement is from 80 g to 150 g.
Reproduction
Warabis inhabit and develop on land, outside of bodies of water, and their young develop in a pouch or mouth of the parent on land. The female carries the offspring in a pouch or mouth on land. A warabi’s embryo develops for one month, and the female gives birth to one tiny offspring after a short pregnancy. The offspring immediately moves into a pouch and remains there for several months. The species reaches maturity from 1 year to 1 year and 10 months. The reproductive interval is from 6 months and 3 weeks to 1 year and 1 month. Eggs or young develop in a nest built on or close to the ground, and nests are found inside tree trunks or in caves/crevices. Only the mother exhibits parental care within these nests located inside tree trunks or in caves/crevices. Nests can also be found in tree hollows and caves.