Pademelon

Unique to Tasmania

The Tasmanian pademelon (pademelon is an aboriginal word) is extinct in mainland Australia because of predation by foxes and large-scale land clearance (although two other species do occur along the east coast of the continent).

Pademelon are widespread and abundant in Tasmania and can commonly be seen around many of the national parks. The Tasmanian pademelon is a stocky animal with a relatively short tail and legs to aid its movement through dense vegetation.

Solitary and Nocturnal

Pademelons are solitary and nocturnal, spending daylight in thick vegetation, mostly in rainforest and wet forest. Habitats next to cleared areas where the animals can feed are especially favoured. After dusk, the animals move into open areas to feed, but rarely stray more than 100 metres from the security of the forest edge.

Read more about the Pademelon [Parks and Wildlife website]