Unlike other hare-wallabies, this species is sociable, often congregating in small groups. During the day, these groups shelter in 'runs' formed beneath dense scrub, and emerge only at night to feed on grasses and shrubs, usually in open areas with scattered shelter (2) (5) (6). Adults of each sex appear to live in well-defined home ranges or territories, and interactions between males are characterised by high levels of aggression, thought to be related to competition for food (2). Although sexual maturity is reached at one year of age, breeding does not usually take place until the second year (5). Young may be born anywhere between December and September, after a gestation that appears to last several months (2) (5). Females usually raise one young each year, although it is possible to produce two young in a season (5). Young spend about six months in their mother's pouch and are weaned around three months later (2).

The banded hare-wallaby is the only survivor of a group of at least 20 'short faced kangaroos' (subfamily Sthenurinae) that once existed across Australia. However, the distinctive transverse dark stripes on the lower back of this grey-furred wallaby, for which the species gets its common name, led to its original (erroneous) description in 1699 as 'a sort of raccoon' (4). The thick shaggy grizzled grey fur is otherwise speckled with yellow and silver, and shades to pale grey on the underbelly (4) (5). Of the two subspecies, L. f. albipilis is more reddish in colour with less pronounced stripes and a bigger hair crest on the head. The snouts of both are normally hairless and short (6).

This species is endemic to Australia, where it was formerly present on the mainland from south-western parts of the country to the lower Murray River region. It is now restricted to the offshore Bernier and Dorre Islands in Shark Bay, Western Australia (Prince and Richards 2008). A small population was recently reintroduced to Faure Island (Prince and Richards 2008).

Lagostrophus fasciatus is found only on Dorre Island and Bernier Island in Shark Bay, 50-60 km west of the Australian mainland. On Dorre Island, the population is concentrated in the north, while on Bernier Island it is further south. The population on Dorre Island is less dense than Bernier Island. Historically, members of this species also lived on the mainland of southwestern Australia. The last recorded individual on the mainland was seen in 1906. Fossils of L. fasciatus have been found on Dirk Hartog Island, south of their current location. Current attempts are underway to reintroduce this species to the western Australian mainland. Attempts to re-introduce L. fasciatus to Dirk Hartog island failed, possibly as a result of predation by feral cats.

Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )

Other Geographic Terms: island endemic

Historic Range:
Australia

The banded hare-wallaby was formerly found across south-western Australia, but now remains only on the islands of Dorre and Bernier in Shark Bay, 50 to 60 kilometres off Western Australia, having last been recorded on the mainland in 1906 (6) (7). This species also occurred historically on Dirk Hartog Island, south of Dorre Island and Bernier Island, but is thought to have died out there in the 1920s, and reintroduction attempts have so far been unsuccessful (6) (7). A small, introduced population now occurs on Faure Island.

The head-body length of Lagostrophus fasciatus is usually 400-450 mm. Tail length ranges from 350-400 mm, and tail diameter from 13-21 mm. The distance from the knee to the foot on the hind limb ranges from 96-146 mm and the pes length from 94-121 mm. The weight varies from 1.3-3 kg, although most specimens weigh under 2 kg. The fur is thick, shaggy, long, and gray with a few yellow and silver splotches. Lagostrophus fasciatus is marked by transverse black stripes along the lower back. Ventrally the fur has a grayish-white color. The face is gray and the flanks have a reddish tint. The snouts are normally hairless and short. Canines are absent. The sexes are not dimorphic in color or size. The fifth metatarsal is partially ventral to the fourth and is cylindrical in shape. The metabolic rate is unknown. Two subspecies exist: Lagostrophus fasciatus fasciatus and Lagostrophus fasciatus baudinettei. The latter is more reddish in color with less pronounced stripes and a bigger hair crest on the head. It may also have a shorter tail.

The skull of this species has interorbital ridges that are almost parallel, a moderately large zygomatic arch, and a mandibular condyle that is lengthened transversely. On the upper jaw, the first incisor is larger than the third incisor, which is larger than the second incisor. The lower incisors line up below the upper incisors instead of lying behind the upper incisors. The crown of the first upper incisor is not completely surrounded by enamel. Additionally, the second and third upper premolars are L-shaped. The lower premolars have a broad anterior cingulum.

Male scrotal width for Lagostrophus fasciatus ranges from 13-31 mm.

Range mass: 1.3 to 3 kg.

Range length: 350 to 400 mm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Lagostrophus fasciatus usually lives in woodlands with thick, dense shrubs, which it uses for shelter during the day. Many of the shrubs are of the species Acacia ligulata. Additionally, banded hare-wallabies form runs under the shrubs. The islands on which they live are of a Mediterranean climate, warm with moderate rainfall and distinct wet and dry seasons.

Habitat Regions: temperate

Terrestrial Biomes: scrub forest

On the mainland the banded hare-wallaby inhabited prickly thickets on the flats and the edges of swamps (7). On the islands, the species lives in woodlands with thick, dense shrubs, particularly those dominated by thorny Acacia ligulata scrub, being dependent upon these dense thickets for shelter (4) (6) (7).

Banded hare wallabies mainly browse or occasionally graze on foliage and grasses. Individuals accumulate in areas with high densities of Acacia ligulata, A. coriacea, Heterodendrum oleifolium, and Diplolaena dampieri, using them as the main sources of food. They are also sometimes found grazing in Triodia grasslands. For hydration, individuals use dew and water from their food.

Plant Foods: leaves; wood, bark, or stems; flowers

Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )

This species is an herbivore that may impact its communities by grazing and browsing. Competition between banded hare wallabies and similar rufous hare-wallabies (Lagorchestes hirsutus) is low due to different habitat preferences and differences in skull and teeth.

Wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax) and other raptors are known predators of Lagostrophus fasciatus. Red foxes probably preyed on this species when it occurred on the Australian mainland. Feral cats (Felis silvestris may also prey on these small wallabies. Slow breeding and spending time in open areas during the day makes these wallabies especially vulnerable to predation.

Known Predators:

• red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)
• wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax)
• feral cats (Felis silvestris)

Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic

Banded hare wallabies, like other kangaroos and wallabies, use their keen vision and senses of smell, touch, and hearing to perceive their environment. Communication between conspecifics is poorly understood, but it is likely that they use chemical and visual cues.

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Lagostrophus fasciatus can live up to six years.

Range lifespan

Status: wild: 6 (high) years.

Typical lifespan

Status: wild: 5 to 6 years.

Observations: In the wild these animals live about 4 years (Bernhard Grzimek 1990), maybe longer. One captive specimen lived for 6.7 years (Richard Weigl 2005), but further studies are necessary to estimate the maximum longevity of this species.

The number of partners and size groups formed by Lagostrophus fasciatus in mating are unknown. Methods for finding, attracting, and defending mates are unknown as well.

Breeding females normally conceive one offspring at a time. Breeding is seasonal, beginning in the summer and peaking in autumn. However, breeding seasons are extended and may occur from February through August. Drought may change breeding patterns by delaying breeding. While most females produce only one offspring per year, some produce two. Breeding can occur as early as the end of a female’s first year and the beginning of a male’s second year. However, most individuals do not mate until the age of two. The time of weaning is normally three months. Offspring are independent after nine to ten months. The gestation period is unknown. A female gives birth and may mate immediately afterwards. The blastocyst from the second mating then undergoes a period of quiescence until the nursing young is weaned (embryonic diapause).

Breeding interval: Lagostophus fasciatus usually breeds once a year.

Breeding season: Breeding peaks in the fall.

Range number of offspring: 1 to 2.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Average weaning age: 3 months.

Range time to independence: 9 to 10 months.

Average time to independence: 9 months.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 1 (low) years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 years.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 (low) years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 years.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); viviparous ; embryonic diapause ; post-partum estrous

Average number of offspring: 1.

Female Lagostrophus fasciatus keep offspring in their pouch for six months. Normally, the mother carries one young in the pouch at a time.

Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species. 

 
There are 2 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.
 

Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 2
Species: 2
Species With Barcodes: 1

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Justification

History

• 1996
  Vulnerable
• 1994
  Endangered
  (Groombridge 1994)
• 1990
  Rare
  (IUCN 1990)
• 1988
  Rare
  (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
• 1986
  Rare
  (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)
• 1982
  Rare
  (Thornback and Jenkins 1982)

Lagostrophus fasciatus is considered vulnerable by ANZECC and the IUCN. Human clearing of land for agriculture, competition with introduced sheep and rabbits, and predation by introduced predators are likely to have caused extinction on the Australian mainland.

US Federal List: endangered

CITES: appendix i

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: endangered

Current Listing Status Summary

Status: Endangered
Date Listed: 12/02/1970
Lead Region: Foreign (Region 10) 
Where Listed:


Population detail:

Population location: entire
Listing status: E

For most current information and documents related to the conservation status and management of Lagostrophus fasciatus , see its USFWS Species Profile

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1), and listed on Appendix I of CITES (3). Subspecies: Lagostrophus fasciatus fasciatus is classified as Vulnerable (VU) and Lagostrophus fasciatus albipilis is classified as Extinct (EX) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1).

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

The disappearance of the banded hare-wallaby on the Australian mainland is thought to be the combined result of clearing of vegetation for agriculture, competition for food with introduced sheep and rabbits, and predation by introduced predators such as cats (6) (7). Although these factors have caused a dramatic decline in numbers of the banded hare-wallaby, causing their extinction on the mainland, those that remain on the uninhabited islands of Dorre and Bernier thankfully remain relatively secure (6).

Conservation Actions

Unfortunately, attempts made to reintroduce this species to Dirk Hartog Island in the 1970s and to Peron Peninsula at Shark Bay in 2001, failed. Cat predation played an important part in these failures, as well as intensive browsing by sheep and goats, and a period of drought over the summer of 1979/80 on Dirk Hartog, resulting in the loss of 30 to 40 percent of the Acacia shrub cover. Captive populations are currently held at the Peron Captive Breeding Facility and the Dryandra Captive Breeding Facility, though the latter has experienced problems with aerial predation by the wedge-tailed eagle (8). At last, in 2003 and 2004, banded hare-wallabies from Peron Captive Breeding Facility and the Shark Bay Islands were successfully reintroduced to Faure Island, after the removal of goats from the island (8) (9). This population is now thriving and represents a remarkable victory for conservation. Banded hare-wallabies have been so successful in adapting to their new environment that they bred in the first year after release, providing fresh hope for the long-term survival of this relic species of 'short faced kangaroo' (9).

Banded hare wallabies currently live on uninhabited islands, so they have little interaction with humans.

Banded hare wallabies currently live on uninhabited islands, so they have little interaction with humans.