A small, round-bodied marsupial that is native to the island of Tasmania, just south of mainland Australia. The pademelon is a shy but essential part of Tasmania’s forest and scrubland ecosystems. While mainland pademelon species have mostly disappeared due to predators and habitat loss, the Tasmanian pademelon still thrives in the wild, where it forages in the undergrowth and open clearings, often seen at dawn or dusk nibbling on grasses and herbs.

This adorable marsupial is easily recognized by its compact, stocky build, short legs, and thick, soft fur, which ranges in color from dark brown to gray with a pale belly. Its tail is short and thick, unlike the long, balancing tails of kangaroos and wallabies. Though they belong to the same family as kangaroos and wallabies, pademelons have a more rounded body and tend to hop in shorter, more controlled movements.

Tasmanian pademelons are herbivores, feeding mostly on grasses, leaves, shoots, and fungi. They are mainly nocturnal or crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the night and twilight hours. During the day, they rest in dense vegetation where they are well-camouflaged and protected from predators. They are generally solitary animals, although they may be seen feeding near one another in open areas. When startled, they will freeze or hop away into thick cover, using their strong hind legs for quick escapes.

Like other marsupials, female pademelons have a pouch where their young (called joeys) develop after birth. The joey stays in the pouch for about six months before emerging, and will continue to nurse and stay close to the mother for a few more months. Another fun fact: while Tasmanian devils are known predators of pademelons, their presence also keeps the ecosystem balanced — preventing pademelon populations from overgrazing sensitive vegetation.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Australia

LC

2015