Identification
Body length 90 cm; no tail, weight 6 kg. Woolly grey fur, white chest. Male larger and more ‘coarse-looking’ (Roman-nosed, ‘dirty’ chest gland) than female.

Habitat and Range
Dry open eucalypt forests throughout the Greater Brisbane Region including Coochiemudlo, North and South Stradbroke Iss. Coastal eastern Australia (except Tas.), also south-east SA.

Notes
Rarely seen (sedentary and camouflaged). Nocturnal. Favoured local food trees include Small-fruited Grey Gum (Eucalyptus propinqua), Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys), Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus teretecornis), Red Stringybark (Eucalyptus resinifera), Spotted Gum (Corymbia citriodora), Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta), Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus racemosa). Leaves of the Fine-veined Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) are also eaten. Breeding season October–January.

Threats
Land clearing, dogs, guns and cars.

Traces
Scratch marks on trunks; strong eucalyptus smell; grunting and screaming in breeding season. Droppings are avocado-shaped (22 mm long by 13 mm at widest point).

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Text © The State of Queensland (Queensland Museum)
Image © Jona Photography