Dingiso
Dingiso
Dingiso
Deep in the remote mountains of New Guinea, lives a mysterious creature with a beautiful black and white coat. Its name is the dingiso, a rare type of kangaroo that dwells in the trees. Let's explore their mystical ecology and their relationship with the local people.
Dingiso Basic Infomation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dendrolagus mbaiso |
| Taxonomic Status | ACCEPTED |
| Rank | SPECIES |
| Vernacular Names | Dingiso Tree-kangaroo |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Diprotodontia |
| Family | Macropodidae |
| Genus | Dendrolagus |
| Habitats | Mountainous areas |
| Conservation Status | Endangered (EN) |
Size
They stand about 60 to 70 cm tall and weigh about 6 to 10 kg. Males and females are about the same size.
Lifespan
Their lifespan in the wild is estimated to be about 15 to 20 years.
Distribution
They are found only in the high-altitude regions of the Central Range in Papua, Indonesia, at elevations of 3,250 to 4,200 meters. Being limited to a specific area, they are a rare species.
Dingiso Q&A
What kind of kangaroo is the dingiso?
The dingiso is a species of tree kangaroo that was first discovered in 1995, making it a relatively new species. Compared to other tree kangaroos, they have shorter fur with a distinct black and white contrast.
They also have a round face, short ears, and an overall stocky appearance. They are adapted to an arboreal lifestyle and are skilled climbers, but they can also be active on the ground.
What do dingisos eat?
Dingisos are herbivores and primarily eat leaves and fruits. They have a varied diet, consuming various types of leaves and fruits found in the rainforest.
They favor leaves like those from fig and oak trees. They also eat flowers, bark, ferns, and moss. Occasionally, they might snack on insects or bird eggs. Unlike ground-dwelling kangaroos, they don't eat much grass, as grass is not abundant in their rainforest habitat.
What kind of lives do they lead?
Dingisos are mainly nocturnal, spending the day resting in trees and becoming active at night to forage for food. They are often solitary creatures, only encountering other tree kangaroos during the breeding season.
When it's time to breed, males try to attract females by calling and drumming on trees. Females give birth to one joey at a time and raise it in their pouch for about 10 months. After leaving the pouch, the joey stays with its mother for a while.
[Quiz!] What do the local people think of the dingiso?
The dingiso is considered a sacred animal by the local Moni people. They call the dingiso the "spirit of the forest" and treat it with reverence.
The dingiso plays a significant role in the culture and beliefs of the Moni people.
[Quiz!] Why are dingisos endangered?
Dingisos are classified as endangered due to habitat destruction and hunting. The rainforests they inhabit are being cleared for timber and agriculture.
They are also hunted for food and their fur. To protect dingisos, it is crucial to conserve their rainforest habitat and regulate hunting. Captive breeding and conservation efforts in zoos are also necessary to ensure the survival of the species.
[Quiz!] How do dingisos move from tree to tree?
Dingisos move from tree to tree by jumping. Using their long tails and powerful hind legs, they can jump up to 30 feet (9 meters)!
Amazingly, they can also jump down from trees to the ground, sometimes from heights of up to 60 feet (18 meters)! They use their tails to maintain balance during these impressive leaps.
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Dingiso Type of List
Characteristics of Dingisos
- A species of tree kangaroo
- Found only in the Central Range of New Guinea, Indonesia
- Distinctive black and white fur
- Stand about 60 to 70 cm tall
- Weigh about 6 to 10 kg
- Mainly nocturnal
- Often solitary
- Arboreal
- Herbivorous
Information
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Dingiso References
Dingiso Introduction of media used
Diprotodontia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Dingiso
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