Dendrolagus ursinus
- The black tree-kangaroo is one of the largest tree-kangaroos.
- It can descend trees head-first and leap from heights of several metres.
- The young spends about 10 months in the pouch.
- In captivity it has lived more than 15 years.
- The black tree-kangaroo can sit for long periods on branches, bracing itself with its tail.
- It is solitary and mainly nocturnal.
- The kangaroo has powerful forelimbs for climbing.
- The kangaroo feeds on leaves, fruit and flowers.
- The species inhabits the montane forests of New Guinea.
- The main threats are hunting and deforestation.
Տարիք
Black tree kangaroos typically live from 8 to 14 years, with a maximum lifespan of 20 years and a theoretical lifespan ranging from 10 to 20 years; the species reaches sexual maturity between 2 and 4 years of age. The young’s eyes open between 4 months and 5 months and 1 week. The embryo develops in the mother's womb for a very short time, after which the young lives in the mother's pouch, feeding only on her milk for a period of 6 to 10 months. Following this, the young kangaroo leaves the pouch, learns to climb trees, and gradually transitions to a diet of plant matter, a stage lasting from 10 months to 2 years. The adult phase begins at 2 years of age and can last up to 20 years, during which time the animal lives in trees, is capable of reproduction, and independently forages for food.
Ֆենոտիպ
The black tree kangaroo has dense, dark fur with a white patch on the throat, and sometimes a light belly; adult individuals possess strong front paws with large, sharp claws for climbing trees and branches, while their hind legs are shorter than those of terrestrial kangaroos but powerful for jumping between trees. The species’ long tail serves as a counterbalance when moving through the trees, and a long, strong tail also helps the young maintain balance on branches. Young individuals have dense, dark fur with a white patch on the throat.
Ֆիզիոլոգիա
The black tree kangaroo exhibits a body height ranging from 17.8 centimeters to 4.5 meters, with a body length of between 60 and 85 centimeters; its mass is 8 kilograms. During the embryonic stage, the species has a body mass of 0 grams and a body length from 1 millimeter to 2 centimeters. The young in the juvenile stage have a body mass ranging from 5 grams to 1.5 kilograms and a body length from 5 to 25 centimeters. Following transformation, the young have a body mass between 2 and 6 kilograms and a body length from 40 to 70 centimeters. Adult black tree kangaroos weigh from 7 to 12 kilograms and measure from 65 to 85 centimeters in length.
Բնակավայր
The black tree kangaroo inhabits elevations from 0.9 kilometers to 2.5 kilometers above sea level, living in tropical moist forests that are always hot and humid with large trees and vines; the species occupies terrestrial landscapes including ground forest and montane forest. The climate is consistently hot and wet, with very high humidity year-round and rain almost every day, meaning it is always very wet with rain occurring almost constantly.
Ապաստան
The black tree kangaroo lives in the crowns of trees and does not have a permanent or long-term shelter; therefore, the species has no designated place to hide. The purpose of shelter, when used, is for protection from predators and for rest. Black tree kangaroos do not use any fixed shelters.
Աշխարհագրություն
The black tree kangaroo is found within the biogeographical region of Australasia, specifically inhabiting the Fogelkopf mountain rainforest ecosystems. These ecosystems are its only known habitat.
Սնունդ
The honey possum feeds exclusively on plants growing on trees, collecting food with its forepaws and slowly chewing it; the species uses leaves, fruits, flowers, young shoots and sprouts, nectar, and berries as food. The feeding strategy of the honey possum includes searching for and obtaining food, as well as grazing. The daily food requirement of the species ranges from 0.5 kg to 1.2 kg, while it plucks leaves and fruits from trees. As an additional source of nutrition, the honey possum may consume beetles, butterflies, diptera, hymenoptera, bedbugs, orthoptera, dragonflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies.
Բազմացում
The black tree kangaroo reproduces through ordinary sexual reproduction, involving homogamy and always including fertilization without any generational changes; gestation lasts 1 month and 1 week, resulting in a single offspring. The young develops in the parent’s pouch or mouth on land, and the mother carries the offspring in her pouch or mouth on land. A litter has 1 individual, and the species inhabits and develops on land, away from bodies of water. The nest is built high in the branches of a bush or tree, and can be located on the ground or close to it. Sexual maturity occurs between 2 and 4 years, and the interval between reproductions is 1 to 2 years.