It is one of the largest tree-kangaroos (genus Dendrolagus), living alone in trees and active at night to feed on leaves or fruit.

It belongs to the macropod family (Macropodidae) with kangaroos, and carries its young in a pouch like other marsupials.

This marsupial is found in montane forests of southeastern New Guinea island, at elevations between 600 and 3,650 metres (2,000 and 12,000 ft).

[3] The species was named in 1883 by Edward Pierson Ramsay in honour of Italian zoologist Giacomo Doria.

The gestation period is about 30 days, after which, the single young remains in the mother's pouch for up to 10 months.