Toolache Wallaby Colouring

The Toolache wallaby, Notamacropus greyi, once lived in grassy woodland and open country across southeastern South Australia and neighbouring southwestern Victoria. It was a graceful, fast wallaby with pale grey-fawn fur, a dark stripe along the cheek outlined by white, lighter ears and hands, and a long tail with a whitish crest. Its lower-back fur formed gentle rippled bands, a feature that made old photographs and museum skins especially distinctive. Slender forelimbs contrasted with powerful hindquarters built for quick movement. Historical observers described family groups feeding on grasses and other plants, but little careful ecological research was completed before the population collapsed. Its typical lifespan is not known. Hunting for skins and sport placed heavy pressure on the species, and wallabies were chased with dogs. Farms and grazing changed its small range, while foxes and other introduced animals added new dangers. The last known wild groups disappeared during the 1920s. A female kept in a fenced paddock at Robe, South Australia, was filmed in 1936 and was believed to be the last living Toolache wallaby. South Australian Museum notes record that she died on 10 July 1939. No reliable personal name is documented for her, so calling her by an invented name would be misleading. Later sightings were reported but were never confirmed. In the picture, the wallaby stands tall enough for children to see its long feet, light build and cheek markings. Colour the body pale grey, fawn, sandy brown or a mix of soft browns. Keep the cheek bands cream and dark brown, and use white or pale cream along the tail crest. The inside of the ears may be pink or peach. Colour the grass yellow-green, the gum leaves blue-green and the distant water light blue. Use smooth strokes down the legs and tail, then short strokes across the lower back to suggest rippled fur. Avoid making every marking very dark; gentle contrasts match this delicate animal. Leave a narrow white highlight along its back so the wallaby remains the brightest part of the scene.

◫ A4 size✎ Bold outlines♡ Ages 3–8

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Grown-up note: Please supervise printing and choose age-appropriate art materials.