Tasmanian Pademelons

Brace for cuteness overload!  The Tasmanian pademelon is likely the planet’s most adorable mammal.  The Rufous-bellied pademelon is now unique to Tasmania. Although once found in southeastern mainland Australia, it is now extinct there due to introduced predators.  These small marsupial macropods (mammal with a pouch and really big feet) are sweet-natured browsers, feeding on grass and other vegetation. In our garden, they particularly enjoy a big, fat rose blossom!

These photos are a mix of quick phone snaps through the kitchen windows all the way to Gary’s proper pade-portraits.  I acknowledge some images are fuzzy; that’s because pademelons are quick!  The images shown are from our house garden, which is not enclosed. The animals are completely free and wild.  We do not handle or feed them, although we watch over them and coordinate with the wildlife hospital for treatment when something goes awry.  We simply create an environment comfortable for them, allow them to be natural and safe, and they are curious enough to do the rest! I will also note that we have never had significant damage to our plants or lawn from pademelons.  (Hungry possums on the other hand – a different story!)

We are working to improve our images and footage.  Our aim is to more clearly document the lives of these beautiful, gentle creatures so that they can be better appreciated.  Whilst still abundant in Tasmania, pademelons face increasing threats from habitat loss, roadkill, feral cats and off-lead dogs, amongst other pressures.

MORE RESOURCES

Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Pademelon Park Wildlife Refuge
WIRES Wildlife Rescue