Red-legged Pademelon: Thylogale stigmatica

Abstract

Although tropical and subtropical rainforests are the preferred habitats of the Red-legged Pademelon, it also occurs in wet sclerophyll forests and occasionally in deciduous vine thickets. In New Guinea, it is reported to occur in lowland rainforest as well as low mixed savanna near swamps. It is occasionally found in lantana thickets on land originally covered by rainforest. Throughout its range it consumes leaves, fruit and seed from a wide variety of rainforest plants; however, dietary studies from northern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales have shown considerable variation reflected in the use of habitat. In the southern part of its range, the Red-legged Pademelon is believed to rarely leave the forest and its diet is composed almost entirely of leaves and fruit. In northern Queensland, the forest edge is utilised to a greater degree and a high proportion of grass is incorporated in the diet.