Question – Is a Wallaby a (small type of) Kangaroo?
Answer: No!
The Wallaby is a small marsupial, actually much smaller than its big sister / cousin the kangaroo sister. One of the biggest characteristics of the wallaby that separates them from kangaroos is size
Body Shape: Both are known to be the happy “hopping” creature of the Australian brush because they are both macropods, meaning they both have overly large feet. Kangaroo legs are really long between the knees and the ankles, which makes their legs oversized with respect to their body. The wallaby has more compact legs which are shorter.
Color: Wallabies have much more colorful, distinct fur than kangaroos. Kangaroos have a coat of a muted color, such as brown or gray. Wallabies, however, have a variety of two or three colors on their coat, some being a striking brown or light fur.
What Do Wallabies and Kangaroos Eat?
Wallabies are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. They tend to dine on mostly plant and leaves because of the forested areas they reside in. Kangaroos generally dine on grasses because they are found to live in more open, treeless areas. Both will also snack on fruits and veggies if they are around.
How Long Do Wallabies and Kangaroos Live?
Surprisingly, wallabies generally have a longer lifespan and live for around 15 years in the wild.. Kangaroos only average a six year lifespan in the wild but with proper care , they can live up to 20 years in captivity.
