The elusive Tree Kangaroo is found in Australia’s Queensland, where they flourish in the lush tropical forests. There are two species, the Lumholz and Bennett’s Tree Kangaroos. The Lumholz is named after the Norwegian naturalist C. Lumholtz, and are also known as “Boongary” with a scientific name of Dendrolagus lumholtzi. The Bennett variety is known as Dendrolagus bennettianus, and is larger than the Lumholz. Eight other species of Tree Kangaroos are to be found in New Guinea.

Both varieties are about two feet tall, but their tails are often three feet long! The female bears one young kangaroo at a time, and carries it in her pouch like all marsupials. They are found sleeping in the branches of trees during the day, and become active at night, being nocturnal. Tree Kangaroos can leap as far as 15 meters (45 feet) from tree to tree. They do not hop about on the ground like regular Kangaroos – they walk.

Australia’s Tree Kangaroos thrive on a diet of leaves and fruits gathered high in the forest canopy. Their large stomachs can handle the massive quantities of leaves they must consume to survive.

There are far more Lumholz Tree Kangaroos, spread over a large area of the Wet Tropics. The Bennett variety is only found in a small area around the Daintree River in Queensland.