Habitat Requirements of the Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby, Petrogale penicillata, in New South Wales

Abstract

The habitat requirements of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby were assessed by comparing areas of rocky habitat occupied by this species with adjacent unoccupied areas of similar habitat. Sites occupied by wallabies had twice the number of ledges, three times the number of caves, and a greater number of routes from the cliff top onto the face, usually via steep, narrow cracks or chimneys. They invariably faced so that the cliff received sun for much of the day (a northerly aspect). Rock-wallaby sites averaged twice the number of ledges sheltered by overhangs as did unoccupied sites. Ledges were shorter on occupied sites, probably reflecting more restricted accessibility to predators. An equation is presented which predicts with 90% success from five habitat variables whether a given cliff is suitable for brush-tailed rockwallabies.