The Bridled nail-tail wallaby boasts a striking coat characterized by shades of grey, with distinct darker tones accentuating their feet, paws, and iconic nail-tipped tail. Notably, a defining feature of this enigmatic marsupial is the presence of striking white “bridle” bands adorning their necks, extending around their shoulders, adding a distinctive visual allure to their appearance.

Equipped with muscular thighs and formidable hind legs, the Bridled nail-tail wallaby exhibits remarkable agility and speed, earning them the endearing moniker “flash jack.” Their adeptness at rapid hopping enables them to traverse their native habitat with unparalleled swiftness, showcasing their remarkable adaptations for locomotion in their natural environment.

Despite their once-widespread distribution, the population of Bridled nail-tail wallabies experienced a precipitous decline during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, pushing them perilously close to the brink of extinction. In fact, for several decades, no confirmed sightings of these elusive marsupials were reported, leading many to fear that they had succumbed to extinction.

However, a ray of hope emerged in 1973 when the species was rediscovered, offering a glimmer of optimism for their conservation. Despite this encouraging development, the Bridled nail-tail wallaby remains listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with its population confined to just a fraction of its historic range, which has dwindled to a mere 5% of its former extent.

Today, conservation efforts are underway to safeguard the remaining populations of Bridled nail-tail wallabies and restore their habitat to ensure their long-term survival. These initiatives encompass a range of strategies, including habitat restoration, predator management, captive breeding programs, and community engagement, aimed at addressing the myriad threats facing these iconic marsupials.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Australia

800-1,100

Official estimate

VU

2016

Queensland