other members of the species. This involves standing upright, pulling up clumps of grass and throwing them against their chest. Males engage in ritualised bouts of combat to determine dominance; these are similar to those of other macropodids, including the "boxing" behaviour seen in kangaroos. Both sexes groom themselves by scratching their head and shoulders with their hind feet for up to ten minutes at a time, and mothers also groom their young for a brief time after they first emerge from the pouch. Reproduction There is no specific breeding season, but most pademelon births seem to occur in the autumn. Males regularly sniff the females in their range, and pursue them if they are receptive, which they remain only for around 24 hours at a time. Copulation can be lengthy, consisting of several bouts, with the animals resting for up to 15 minutes between each session. Gestation lasts 30 days. The young measure around in total length at birth, and rapidly move to the pouch, where they attach to one of the four teats. They grow relatively slowly compared with other marsupials of their size, opening their eyes between weeks 18 and 20, and first developing fur between weeks 20 and 22. They are fully furred by around 160 days, at which point they first begin to poke their head out of the pouch. The first full emergence from the pouch can occur from this time up until around 190 days of age, although they continue to suckle for another three months, after which the mother becomes aggressive towards them. The mother often gives birth to a second joey while still nursing an older one that has already left the pouch, and typically gives birth to 1.3 young per year. Joeys are sexually mature at 17 months for males or 13 months for females. Lifespan in the wild is unknown, but has been estimated to be between 5 and 6 years. References External links Park and Wildlife Service Tasmania: Tasmanian Pademelon Macropods Endemic fauna of Australia Marsupials of Australia Mammals of Tasmania Mammals of Victoria (Australia) Extinct mammals of South Australia Least concern biota of Australia Mammals described in 1822 Taxa named by Anselme Gaëtan Desmarest