Musky Rat-kangaroo

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Musky Rat-kangaroo[1]

Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Diprotodontia
Suborder: Macropodiformes
Family: Hypsiprymnodontidae
Genus: Hypsiprymnodon
Ramsay, 1876
Species: H. moschatus
Binomial name
Hypsiprymnodon moschatus
Ramsay, 1876

The Musky Rat-kangaroo (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus) is a rat-sized marsupial species found in the rainforests of New Guinea and northeast Australia. Although some scientists place this species as a subfamily (Hypsiprymnodontinae) of the family Potoroidae, the most recent classification[1] places in the family Hypsiprymnodontidae with prehistoric rat-kangaroos. It is the smallest macropod that is quadrupedal and only diurnal. The Musky Rat-kangaroo is approximately 23 cm long, and eats fallen fruit as well as small invertebrates.

It moves by extending its forelegs and then bringing both of its hind legs forward.

The mothers have two to three babies, who stay in her pouch for about 21 weeks.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Groves, Colin (16 November 2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 56. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. 
  2. ^ Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group (1996). Hypsiprymnodon moschatus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.

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