Australia's Wet Tropics

DSC_2529 Musky rat-kangaroo (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus) this is the smallest kangaroo. It has survived in Australian forests for more than 20 million years. Four similar-looking, and related species once wandered Miocene rainforests.Today, this is the only survivor. It retains the ancient characters of its extinct relatives - opposable thumbs on the hind feet (for climbing), a prehensile tail, and unspecialised teeth, digestive tract and diet, as well as the habit of birthing twins or triplets - note its full pouch! Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

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DSC_2529 Musky rat-kangaroo (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus) this is the smallest kangaroo. It has survived in Australian forests for more than 20 million years. Four similar-looking, and related species once wandered Miocene rainforests.Today, this is the only survivor. It retains the ancient characters of its extinct relatives - opposable thumbs on the hind feet (for climbing), a prehensile tail, and unspecialised teeth, digestive tract and diet, as well as the habit of birthing twins or triplets - note its full pouch! Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC 2529 Musky rat kangaroo Hypsiprymnodon moschatus smallest kangaroo Australia 20 million years Miocene rainforest survivor ancient full pouch Kuranda National Park Queensland