wallaby

views updated May 18 2018

wallaby Any of various medium-sized members of the kangaroo family of marsupial mammals, occurring chiefly in Australia. All species are herbivorous, feeding in open grassland at night. They move fast in a series of leaps, using both strong hind legs simultaneously, balanced by the tail. Length: head and body 45–105cm (18–41in); tail 33–75cm (13–30in). Family Macropodidae.

World Encyclopedia

wallaby

views updated Jun 11 2018

wal·la·by / ˈwäləbē/ • n. (pl. -ies) an Australasian marsupial (family Macropodidae) that is similar to, but smaller than, a kangaroo. Several genera and numerous species include the agile wallaby (Macropus agilis).

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

wallaby

views updated Jun 08 2018

wallaby See MACROPODIDAE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

wallaby

views updated Jun 08 2018

wallaby XIX. — Austral. aboriginal word.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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