Amazing adaptation to Scotland's climate

Antipodean species surprises scientists

Wildlife experts in Scotland have discovered that naturalised wallabies have adapted to snowy Highland conditions by turning white in winter.

The speed at which the creatures have adapted to their new environment – poles apart from their native Australia – has surprised scientists.

Within a few generations of escaping and breeding in the wild, wallabies have developed the ability to change the colour of their coats twice a year.

Wallaby in winter, with a joey peaking from its pouch © Felicity Martin

Even the young of wild-living Highland wallabies develop coats of pure white as they grow within their mother's pouch.

In autumn, the normal brown coat of the wallabies is replaced by one that is thick and white. In spring, the white fur moults and they return to their natural colour.

This adaptation mirrors that of the mountain hare and ptarmigan, which have evolved over thousands of years to survive in snow-covered landscapes where a dark-coloured coat would make them highly visible to predators, such as the golden eagle.

Mountain hare in March, with its coat changing from white to blue-brown ©Felicity Martin

Hill walkers and cross-country skiers are being asked to help scientists find out how far these specially-adapted wallabies have spread by reporting any sightings to april1@btinternet.com.