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Kangaroo

Macropus rufus (Red), Macropus giganteus (Eastern Gray), Macropus fuliginosus (Western Gray)

Range

Kangaroos are found in Australia and Tasmania, and some nearby islands.

Habitat

They live in forests, dry scrublands and open grasslands.

Body Traits

There are three kinds of kangaroos: red, eastern gray and western gray. Red and gray kangaroos can grow to 5-6 feet tall. They can weigh up to 200 pounds, though most weigh around 100 pounds. Female kangaroos are smaller. As their names suggest, they have reddish, brown to gray coats of coarse, wooly hair.

Habits

They live in groups called “mobs” that are ruled by the biggest male. Kangaroos can travel at speeds up to 30 mph and can jump 30 feet. They use their tails as a counter balance.

Diet

Kangaroos eat plants (herbivores). They mostly eat grass and can survive a long time without water.

Predators

Predators are dingo and man.

Reproduction

Female kangaroos are only pregnant for about 1 month (gestation) and give birth to one tiny baby or “joey.” Kangaroos are marsupials so the females carry the “joeys,” in a pouch on the front of their bellies. Newborns weigh less than 1/10 of an ounce at birth and have to crawl up into their mother’s pouch to nurse and grow. They will stay in their mother’s pouch for 8 months to a year.

Lifespan and/or Conservation Status

Kangaroos live for 6 – 8 years in the wild. All kangaroos is listed as Lower Risk – least concern.

Classification

Red Kangaroo –

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Diprotodontia
Suborder: Macropodiformes
Family: Macropodidae
Subfamily: Macropodinae
Genus: Macropus
Species: Macropus rufus

Eastern Gray –

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Diprotodontia
Suborder: Macropodiformes
Family: Macropodidae
Subfamily: Macropodinae
Genus: Macropus
Species: Macropus giganteus

Western Gray –

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Diprotodontia
Suborder: Macropodiformes
Family: Macropodidae
Subfamily: Macropodinae
Genus: Macropus
Species: Macropus fuliginosus

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