Found only in a small patch of rugged country in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, it lives among steep escarpments, rocky slopes, and caves, making it a true specialist of the Australian outback. It is also the smallest member of the genus Osphranter, standing just over a meter tall, but it’s incredibly sturdy and muscular for its size. The males are striking, with a deep black or dark brown coat, while females are much lighter, often gray or brown, which makes the sexual color difference especially noticeable.

Unlike the well-known red kangaroo that roams wide open plains, the Black wallaroo is shy, solitary, and reclusive, preferring to stay hidden in rocky shelters during the day and coming out to feed in the late afternoon or night. This lifestyle makes it very difficult to observe in the wild, and even local Indigenous communities, who know the land well, regard it as a rare sight. Its diet is mostly grasses and shrubs, and it grazes quietly under the cover of shadows. Because of its small home range and elusive habits, very little is known about its overall population, and it remains one of the least studied kangaroos in Australia.

The black wallaroo is sometimes called the “shadow kangaroo” because of its tendency to stay in dark, rocky shelters during daylight hours. Its distribution is so limited that it is considered a regional endemic, meaning it exists only in one small part of northern Australia. Unlike other kangaroos, which can be curious or even bold around humans, the Black wallaroo is extremely wary, darting into rocky crevices at the first sign of disturbance. Despite being shy, it’s tough and resilient, perfectly adapted to the hot, rugged landscapes of Arnhem Land.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Australia

<10,000

NT

2015

Northern Territory