Meet the pademelon, the tiny, elusive marsupial hiding in Australia’s dense forest undergrowth.

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Often mistaken for a small wallaby, the pademelon is a distinct member of the macropod family. These shy, forest-dwelling marsupials are defined by their compact size and short, thick tails. Once hunted for food and fur, they now navigate a landscape reshaped by urban expansion and introduced predators.

The name pademelon originates from badimaliyan, a term in the Dharug language of the Sydney region. Scientifically, they are classified in the genus Thylogale, a name derived from Greek words meaning pouch and weasel. As some of the smallest macropods, they are significantly smaller than their kangaroo and wallaby cousins. Mature males typically weigh about 7 kg and stand 60 cm tall, while females are smaller, averaging around 3.8 kg.

These animals are masters of concealment, favoring thick scrubland and dense forest undergrowth. They are known to carve tunnels through tall grasses in swampy areas, rarely venturing far from the safety of cover. Their diet is varied, consisting of fallen leaves, fruit, and grasses. In some regions, such as the north of the red-legged pademelon's range, they may emerge from the forest edge after dark to graze in more open spaces.

The survival of the pademelon has been challenged by human activity and ecological shifts. Settlers and indigenous Australians historically hunted them for meat and fur, while the introduction of non-native predators like cats, dogs, and red foxes further impacted their numbers. Additionally, competition for food from the rapidly increasing rabbit population and the loss of habitat to urban development have forced them into smaller territories. Despite these pressures, they remain abundant in Tasmania, where they serve as prey for native species like quolls, Tasmanian devils, and wedge-tailed eagles, necessitating annual culling to maintain sustainable populations.

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