Class: Mammalia

Order: Marsupialia

Scientific Name: Dendrolagus goodfellowi

Range: New Guinea

Habitat: Montane oak forest at altitudes in excess of 4,000 feet

Diet: Wild: Primarily leaves and fruit (wild figs)

Gestation: About 32 days

Litter: 1

Description: Head & body length average 23 inches; Tail length averages 28 inches; Hindfoot length averages 4.5 inches; Ear averages 2.3 inches in length; Weight averages 17 pounds for males, and 18 pounds for females. The coloration is a warm brown overall, with a long mottled golden and brown tail. There are two golden stripes on the rump. The limbs of the tree-kangaroo have been readapted for life in the canopy; both fore- and hind legs are powerfully built and of nearly equal proportions. Their broad hind feet have cushion-like pads and are covered with roughened “non-skid” skin, while their hands are equipped with long, sharp claws to grip trunks and branches.They appear to be primarily leaf-eaters, but they will also eat fruit when it is in season. They forage for food on the ground, but remain near trees where they can take refuge if threatened. They have a slow metabolism, which is an adaptation to a diet of leaves. After feeding, a tree-kangaroo saves energy by sleeping while it digests its meal. The young first emerge completely from the pouch at about 305 days, and by about 408 days they will suckle by just sticking their head in the pouch.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the Gum Leaf Hideout at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.