Bennet's Wallaby
Scientific Name: Macropus rufogriseus
Name Origin: Called the “Bennett’s” wallaby after naturalist George Bennett; “wallaby” comes from the Dharug Indigenous word walabi.
Size & Lifespan: 25–35 inches tall, 30–50 lbs. Tail 25–30 inches. Live 12–15 years, sometimes over 18 in human care.
Native Habitat: Coastal forests, scrublands, and open woodlands of Tasmania and eastern Australia.
Behavior: Gentle, flighty, alert animals. Prefer hopping away from threats. Social but loosely structured; often graze in small groups.
Activity: Primarily crepuscular, active at dawn and dusk.
Appearance: Strong hind legs for jumping, long tail for balance, soft grey-brown fur for camouflage.
Fun Facts: Can jump 6 feet high. Thick fur allows them to tolerate cold better than most macropods. Males “click” when annoyed.
ENCLOSURE
Adult Bennett’s wallabies need a large outdoor yard, ideally at least 400–600 sq ft per animal, with grass, shade structures, and secure fencing 5–6 ft tall. They do well on natural ground or grass, with sandy or soil areas for lounging. Cypress mulch can be used in sheltered areas if kept dry.
Provide a warm shelter or barn they can enter freely.
Ideal temps: 65–75°F.
Tolerances: they can handle cold down to 40°F briefly with shelter, but young ones should be brought inside. They tolerate heat up to 90–95°F with shade and fans.
Humidity: moderate; avoid keeping them damp.
UVB is not required, but natural sunlight is extremely beneficial.
Always provide soft bedding in their indoor shelter.
DIET & HYDRATION
Bennett’s wallabies are grazing herbivores: grasses, hays, leaves, and wallaby-safe produce.
Weekly Feeding Schedule (adult 30–50 lbs):
Daily: unlimited fresh timothy or orchard grass hay.
Daily: 1–1.5 cups of wallaby pellets (Mazuri or similar).
3–4x weekly: small handful mixed greens (collard, dandelion, romaine).
1–2x weekly: very small fruit treat.
Staples: timothy hay, orchard hay, fresh grasses, Mazuri kangaroo/wallaby pellets, leafy greens.
Treats: apple slices, berries, sweet potato, carrot.
No Feed/Toxic: onions, garlic, chocolate, avocado, iceberg lettuce, processed foods, high-sugar fruits, anything moldy.
Hydration: fresh water available at all times. Use heavy ground bowls or secure buckets.
Supplements: usually none if eating grass and pellets, but a high-fiber diet is essential. Avoid overfeeding fruit; can cause soft stools.
Behavior Notes: Wallabies may “pouch chew” or grab food with forearms when excited; totally normal.
HEALTH
Common concerns include coccidia, giardia, internal parasites, and lumpy jaw (fascial osteomyelitis) which can be fatal if untreated. Vitamin E/selenium deficiency can occur on poor diets. Heat stress and dehydration are serious risks in Florida. Regular fecals, clean water, and a grazing-based diet prevent most problems.
HANDLING
Bennett’s wallabies are gentle but easily stressed. Too much restraint can cause panic. Handle calmly, slowly, and let them lean against you for security. Never grab the tail or try to hold them like a dog. Support their chest and hindquarters if lifting babies/joeys.
They can stress with excessive handling, loud crowds, or fast movements.
For shows: they can be excellent if raised from a joey, bottle-fed, and conditioned properly. Their gentle nature makes them safe around kids as long as jumping space is controlled. They should not be overwhelmed or cornered.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SHOW ANIMALS
To qualify as a show animal, a wallaby must:
Super friendly and allow petting.
Not defecate excessively when nervous (training helps).
Tolerate 3–5+ shows a day with rest breaks.
Be comfortable being transported/boxed for the day.
Handle warm temperatures with fans and shade available.
Bennett’s wallabies generally meet these requirements if raised properly.