Head to head
Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo vs Matschie's Tree Kangaroo
Goodfellow's tree kangaroo and Matschie's tree kangaroo are both Endangered climbing marsupials of New Guinea, but one is restricted to a single peninsula while the other ranges more broadly, and each shows off a distinctly different coat colouring.
| Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo | Matschie's Tree Kangaroo | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Dendrolagus goodfellowi | Dendrolagus matschiei |
| Coat colouring | Reddish-brown with ornate patches | Vivid reddish-gold |
| Range | Parts of New Guinea's montane rainforest | Restricted to the Huon Peninsula only |
| Descending trees | Not specifically documented | Climbs down tail-first |
| Habitat | Montane rainforest | Cloud forest |
| Cultural significance | Not specifically noted | Culturally significant to local communities |
| Diet | Herbivore | Herbivore |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Endangered |
Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo vs Matschie's Tree Kangaroo: common questions
Which tree kangaroo has the more restricted range, Goodfellow's or Matschie's?
Matschie's tree kangaroo, which survives only on the Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea, a far smaller range than Goodfellow's tree kangaroo's broader distribution across parts of New Guinea's montane rainforest.
How does Matschie's tree kangaroo climb down trees?
It descends tail and hind legs first, a backward climbing technique not specifically documented in Goodfellow's tree kangaroo.
Which has the more vivid coat colouring, Goodfellow's or Matschie's tree kangaroo?
Matschie's tree kangaroo, with its strikingly bright reddish-gold coat, compared to Goodfellow's tree kangaroo's reddish-brown coat marked with lighter and darker patches.