Head to head
Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby vs Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby
The brush-tailed rock-wallaby and yellow-footed rock-wallaby share the same extraordinary cliff-climbing agility, but their colouring and habitat could hardly look more different.
| Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby | Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Petrogale penicillata | Petrogale xanthopus |
| Coat pattern | Plain grey-brown | Bold orange banding on legs and tail |
| Habitat type | Forested mountain cliffs | Arid desert rock outcrops |
| Range | Eastern Australia | Scattered central and eastern Australia |
| Main threat | Historical fur hunting, foxes | Introduced foxes, competition from goats |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Mountains, forest | Mountains, desert |
Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby vs Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby: common questions
Which rock-wallaby is more colourful, the brush-tailed or the yellow-footed?
The yellow-footed rock-wallaby is by far the more colourful of the two, carrying bright orange-yellow legs, a banded tail, and bold facial stripes, while the brush-tailed rock-wallaby has a comparatively plain grey-brown coat suited to blending into its forested cliff habitat.
Do both rock-wallabies live in the same type of habitat?
Not quite; the brush-tailed rock-wallaby favours forested mountain cliffs across eastern Australia, while the yellow-footed rock-wallaby occupies arid, sun-exposed desert rock outcrops scattered across central and eastern Australia, a drier and more exposed environment overall.
Why have both rock-wallaby species declined?
Both species have suffered from predation by introduced foxes, though the brush-tailed rock-wallaby was additionally hunted heavily for its fur historically, while the yellow-footed rock-wallaby has faced significant competition for shelter and food from introduced feral goats across its arid range.