Quick answer
IUCN status: EndangeredDingiso at a glance
The dingiso (Dendrolagus mbaiso) is a mammal in the family Macropodidae. Range in Indonesia: Sudirman Range, Papua (Indonesian New Guinea). It is endemic to Indonesia, living naturally only in Sudirman Range, Papua (Tembagapura and Kwiyawagi areas), at 2,700–3,500 m. Diet: leaves of understorey plants, including ferns; a herbivore. IUCN Red List status: Endangered. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).
| Scientific name | Dendrolagus mbaiso |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Kanguru pohon dingiso |
| Group | Mammals |
| Family | Macropodidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Sudirman Range, Papua (Indonesian New Guinea) |
| Linked habitats | Tropical Rainforests |
| Diet | Leaves of understorey plants, including ferns |
| Range in Indonesia | Sudirman Range, Papua, 2,700–3,500 m elevation |
| Key feature | Dense black fur with a white chin-to-belly stripe |
| Other names | Kanguru pohon dingiso, kangguru pohon mbaiso |
| IUCN status | Endangered · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · Regulation P.106/2018 · annex no. 79 |
| Diet type | Herbivore (plant-eater) — leaves of understorey plants, including ferns (diet poorly known) · Handbook of the Mammals of the World (via Zenodo) |
| Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · Animal Diversity Web |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes — Sudirman Range, Papua (Tembagapura and Kwiyawagi areas), at 2,700–3,500 m · Handbook of the Mammals of the World (via Zenodo) |
In this guide (11)
What is the dingiso?
The dingiso (Dendrolagus mbaiso) is a black-and-white tree-kangaroo from Papua, first described by Tim Flannery, Boeadi and A. L. Szalay in 1995. Like all kangaroos, it is a pouched mammal (marsupial) in the family Macropodidae.
According to the Handbook of the Mammals of the World (HMW), it measures 66–67 cm in head-and-body length, with a 41.5–52 cm tail, and weighs 5.4–8.6 kg. Its long, dense fur is black on the back and limbs. A broad white stripe runs from chin to belly, with a white stripe on each side of the muzzle and a white spot on the forehead. Its type specimens are held at the Australian Museum.
Evidence: Mammalia — Flannery, Boeadi & Szalay (1995), A new tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus: Marsupialia) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia, with notes on ethnography and the evolution of tree-kangaroos, 59(1): 65–84 (Macquarie University research portal) ↗ · Handbook of the Mammals of the World vol. 5 (Mittermeier & Wilson 2015), Macropodidae — Dingiso Dendrolagus mbaiso, taxonomic treatment via Plazi/Zenodo ↗ · Australian Museum — Tree Kangaroo from New Guinea ↗
Where does the dingiso live?
The dingiso lives only in Indonesia, in the Sudirman Range (Snow Mountains) of central Papua. HMW gives its range as the Tembagapura and Kwiyawagi areas, and its type locality is Mount Ki near Tembagapura.
It inhabits upper-montane moss forest and subalpine scrub at 2,700–3,500 m, according to HMW. The original description by Flannery and colleagues places it in high-elevation mossy forest on the southern and western slopes of the range. HMW also notes that the species is not known from any protected area and that none are held in captivity.
Evidence: Handbook of the Mammals of the World vol. 5 (Mittermeier & Wilson 2015), Macropodidae — Dingiso Dendrolagus mbaiso, taxonomic treatment via Plazi/Zenodo ↗ · Mammalia — Flannery, Boeadi & Szalay (1995), A new tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus: Marsupialia) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia, with notes on ethnography and the evolution of tree-kangaroos, 59(1): 65–84 (Macquarie University research portal) ↗
What does the dingiso eat?
The dingiso is reported to feed on the leaves of understorey plants, including ferns, according to HMW. Its diet is still poorly known because the species has rarely been studied.
That fits its way of life. Unlike most tree-kangaroos, which feed in the canopy, the dingiso spends much of its time on the ground, so plants on the mossy forest floor are its food source. The original description by Flannery and colleagues notes that its adaptation to life on the ground has made it resemble ground-dwelling kangaroos. Researchers say more work on its ecology and diet is needed.
Evidence: Handbook of the Mammals of the World vol. 5 (Mittermeier & Wilson 2015), Macropodidae — Dingiso Dendrolagus mbaiso, taxonomic treatment via Plazi/Zenodo ↗ · Mammalia — Flannery, Boeadi & Szalay (1995), A new tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus: Marsupialia) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia, with notes on ethnography and the evolution of tree-kangaroos, 59(1): 65–84 (Macquarie University research portal) ↗
How does the dingiso behave?
The dingiso is reported to be largely terrestrial, solitary and territorial, according to HMW. It may be active by day or at dusk and dawn.
It is relatively tame towards people, a trait that makes it easy to hunt where no customary ban applies. On breeding, HMW says there is no specific information, although it may breed seasonally. Flannery and colleagues' cladistic analysis places it among the more derived tree-kangaroos, but its ground-dwelling habits have made its body shape converge on that of more primitive relatives.
Evidence: Handbook of the Mammals of the World vol. 5 (Mittermeier & Wilson 2015), Macropodidae — Dingiso Dendrolagus mbaiso, taxonomic treatment via Plazi/Zenodo ↗ · Mammalia — Flannery, Boeadi & Szalay (1995), A new tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus: Marsupialia) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia, with notes on ethnography and the evolution of tree-kangaroos, 59(1): 65–84 (Macquarie University research portal) ↗
Why is the dingiso endangered?
The dingiso is listed as Endangered by the IUCN because its range is small and, according to HMW, hunting and farmland clearing have caused a sharp decline.
Climate change is a further threat because it lets farming spread into its subalpine habitat. In the western part of its range, custom protects it. Flannery and colleagues record that the dingiso has great cultural significance for the Moni people, whose socio-religious taboos forbid members of certain descent groups from hunting it or eating its meat. The Australian Museum notes that nearly all tree-kangaroos are threatened by habitat loss or hunting.
Evidence: Handbook of the Mammals of the World vol. 5 (Mittermeier & Wilson 2015), Macropodidae — Dingiso Dendrolagus mbaiso, taxonomic treatment via Plazi/Zenodo ↗ · Mammalia — Flannery, Boeadi & Szalay (1995), A new tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus: Marsupialia) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia, with notes on ethnography and the evolution of tree-kangaroos, 59(1): 65–84 (Macquarie University research portal) ↗ · Australian Museum — Tree Kangaroo from New Guinea ↗
How can the dingiso be protected?
The dingiso is legally protected: the annex to Regulation P.106/2018 lists it as entry 79 under the name kangguru pohon mbaiso. It must not be hunted, caught, kept or traded, nor any of its body parts.
Moni customary taboos have helped the dingiso survive, so respecting and strengthening such customary rules matters for its conservation. HMW calls for research on its distribution, abundance, ecology and the impact of threats. Climbers and researchers in the Sudirman Range should not disturb the animal, and hunting or trade in tree-kangaroos can be reported to the Papua natural resources conservation office (BBKSDA Papua).
Evidence: JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Lampiran Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗ · Handbook of the Mammals of the World vol. 5 (Mittermeier & Wilson 2015), Macropodidae — Dingiso Dendrolagus mbaiso, taxonomic treatment via Plazi/Zenodo ↗ · Mammalia — Flannery, Boeadi & Szalay (1995), A new tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus: Marsupialia) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia, with notes on ethnography and the evolution of tree-kangaroos, 59(1): 65–84 (Macquarie University research portal) ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Dingiso
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Diprotodontia |
| Family | Macropodidae |
| Genus | Dendrolagus |
| Species | Dendrolagus mbaiso |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the dingiso
What is the scientific name of the dingiso?
The scientific name of the dingiso is Dendrolagus mbaiso, in the family Macropodidae. In Indonesian it is called Kanguru pohon dingiso.
What kind of animal is the dingiso?
The dingiso is a mammal in the family Macropodidae. By diet it is a herbivore (plant-eater): a leaves of understorey plants, including ferns (diet poorly known). It is also endemic to Indonesia.
Where does the dingiso live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the dingiso in: Sudirman Range, Papua (Indonesian New Guinea).
The dingiso is endemic to Indonesia and lives naturally only in Sudirman Range, Papua (Tembagapura and Kwiyawagi areas), at 2,700–3,500 m. Source: Handbook of the Mammals of the World (via Zenodo).
Source-supported habitats: Tropical Rainforests.
What does the dingiso eat?
Diet of the dingiso: leaves of understorey plants, including ferns. That makes it a herbivore (plant-eater). Source: Handbook of the Mammals of the World (via Zenodo).
How does the dingiso reproduce?
The dingiso reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Marsupial: the young are born tiny and undeveloped and continue developing in the mother’s pouch. Source: Animal Diversity Web.
What are the main features of the dingiso?
Key features of the dingiso, from this guide’s sources: Key feature: dense black fur with a white chin-to-belly stripe.
What is the scientific classification of the dingiso?
Scientific classification of the dingiso: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Diprotodontia, family Macropodidae, genus Dendrolagus, species Dendrolagus mbaiso.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the dingiso endangered?
Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the dingiso is listed as Endangered: it is considered to face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from national legal protection. Is the dingiso protected in Indonesia?
Is the dingiso protected in Indonesia?
Yes. The dingiso (Dendrolagus mbaiso) is a protected species in Indonesia under Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species (annex, entry 79).
Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.
If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the local BKSDA office.
Can the dingiso be kept as a pet?
No. Because the dingiso is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited.
If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the local BKSDA office.
Sources & references
- Handbook of the Mammals of the World vol. 5 (Mittermeier & Wilson 2015), Macropodidae — Dingiso Dendrolagus mbaiso, taxonomic treatment via Plazi/Zenodo ↗
- Mammalia — Flannery, Boeadi & Szalay (1995), A new tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus: Marsupialia) from Irian Jaya, Indonesia, with notes on ethnography and the evolution of tree-kangaroos, 59(1): 65–84 (Macquarie University research portal) ↗
- Australian Museum — Tree Kangaroo from New Guinea ↗
- JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Lampiran Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.
Cite this page
PanduanHewan. (2026, 1 October). Dingiso (Dendrolagus mbaiso). PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/dingiso/