Bennet's Wallaby

Enclosure

Adult Bennett’s wallabies need a large outdoor yard, ideally at least 400–600 sq ft per animal, with grass, shade structures, and secure fencing 5–6 ft tall. They do well on natural ground or grass, with sandy or soil areas for lounging. Cypress mulch can be used in sheltered areas if kept dry.

Provide a warm shelter or barn they can enter freely.

Ideal temps

65–75°F.

Tolerances

they can handle cold down to 40°F briefly with shelter, but young ones should be brought inside. They tolerate heat up to 90–95°F with shade and fans.

Humidity

moderate; avoid keeping them damp.

UVB is not required, but natural sunlight is extremely beneficial.

Always provide soft bedding in their indoor shelter.

Diet and Hydration

Bennett’s wallabies are grazing herbivores

grasses, hays, leaves, and wallaby-safe produce.

Weekly Feeding Schedule (adult 30–50 lbs):

Daily

unlimited fresh timothy or orchard grass hay.

Daily

1–1.5 cups of wallaby pellets (Mazuri or similar).

3–4x weekly: small handful mixed greens (collard, dandelion, romaine).

1–2x weekly: very small fruit treat.

Staples

timothy hay, orchard hay, fresh grasses, Mazuri kangaroo/wallaby pellets, leafy greens.

Treats

apple slices, berries, sweet potato, carrot.

No Feed/Toxic

onions, garlic, chocolate, avocado, iceberg lettuce, processed foods, high-sugar fruits, anything moldy.

Hydration

fresh water available at all times. Use heavy ground bowls or secure buckets.

Supplements

usually none if eating grass and pellets, but a high-fiber diet is essential. Avoid overfeeding fruit; can cause soft stools.

Behavior Notes

Wallabies may “pouch chew” or grab food with forearms when excited; totally normal.

Health

Common concerns include coccidia, giardia, internal parasites, and lumpy jaw (fascial osteomyelitis) which can be fatal if untreated. Vitamin E/selenium deficiency can occur on poor diets. Heat stress and dehydration are serious risks in Florida. Regular fecals, clean water, and a grazing-based diet prevent most problems.

Handling

Bennett’s wallabies are gentle but easily stressed. Too much restraint can cause panic. Handle calmly, slowly, and let them lean against you for security. Never grab the tail or try to hold them like a dog. Support their chest and hindquarters if lifting babies/joeys.

They can stress with excessive handling, loud crowds, or fast movements.

For shows

they can be excellent if raised from a joey, bottle-fed, and conditioned properly. Their gentle nature makes them safe around kids as long as jumping space is controlled. They should not be overwhelmed or cornered.

Requirements for Show Animals

To qualify as a show animal, a wallaby must:

Super friendly and allow petting.

Not defecate excessively when nervous (training helps).

Tolerate 3–5+ shows a day with rest breaks.

Be comfortable being transported/boxed for the day.

Handle warm temperatures with fans and shade available.

Bennett’s wallabies generally meet these requirements if raised properly.