Eastern Hare Wallaby

The Eastern Hare Wallaby (Lagorchestes leporides) is an extinct species of wallaby. It lived on inland plains of South-eastern Australia. It had hare-like habits. It sat still in a well-formed 'seat' by day, usually in the shelter of a tussock . If approached too closely, it would bound off at great speed. One wallaby was chased by dogs for 500 metres and suddenly doubled back and came back within 6 metres of John Gould and leapt over his head. It could jump 1.8 metres high.

It was a common species, but may have competed with cattle or sheep or was possibly adversely affected by changing burning patterns or the spread of cats. The last record was a female collected by Mr Bennett in August 1889.

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