Order: Diprotodontia Prev. Marsupialia
Family: Macropodidae
Genus & Species: Macropus rufus
APPEARANCE
Red kangaroos are one of the more familiar species of broad-footed
marsupials found in Australia. They are 6 ft (180 cm) tall with an average
head/body length of 5.4 ft (162.5 cm). The tail is very strong and heavy and
is 4 ft (120 cm) in length. It is used for balance. The red kangaroo males are
larger than the females, the males weighing 100-150 lbs (45-68 kg) and the
females weighing 40-80 lbs (18-36 kg). The back legs are very strong and are
ideal for hopping. The feet are broad and generally 18 in (45 cm) long. The
forelegs are much smaller than the back legs and also help to keep balance
while the ‘roo is moving slowly. The head is small and the ears are large.
The muzzle is less hairy than that of the grey kangaroo spp. Red kangaroos
very greatly in colour, the males generally red and the females generally
bluish-grey. However, any shade between red and grey can be found on
either gender.
Red kangaroos are powerful jumpers, being able to jump heights of 6 ft
(180 cm) and lengths of 29 ft (870 cm). They can run up to speeds of 35
mph in short burst, but will generally run only 12 mph. They have a life
span of 9-13 years in the wild, and up to 20 in captivity.
Males are known as boomers, females as does or blue fliers, and the young
as joeys.
HABITAT
Red kangaroos are found only on the continent of Australia, and are
distributed throughout all of its provinces. They are mostly absent from the
wetter areas of southwestern, eastern, and northern Australia. They are
found in open plains and dry grasslands that have neither bushes nor trees.
Red kangaroos live in groups called mobs that are centered around an older
dominant male. At night they graze and during the day they rest.
FOOD
Red kangaroos are grazers, unlike the browsing grey kangaroos. They are
strictly herbivores, feeding on grasses and other vegetation. They can go for
long periods of time without water. In the zoo they are fed beet pulp, hay,
kale, and grains.
ENEMIES
Red kangaroos have few natural enemies. The dog-like marsupial known as
the Tasmanian wolf at one time preyed upon them, but today they are
thought to be extinct. The introduced dingo is now one of their only
enemies. Man poses as their greatest threat as sheep farmers will shoot them
on sight due to the fact that they graze upon much of their land. Red
kangaroos will not jump over fences 5 ft (150 cm) high, but these are just
too costly to put up, and kangaroos can crawl underneath weak sections
anyway. Red kangaroos are one of the more common of the marsupial
species in Australia.
BREEDING
Red kangaroos reach sexual maturity at 2-3 years for both sexes. They will
breed at any time of the year, but rarely during drought or dry weather.
There is a gestation period of 30-42 days, after which the mother will clean
her pouch before giving birth. She then will take up the birth position,
sitting on her tail base with her legs extended forward and her tail between
them. She then licks her birth canal, and the small, lima bean-sized joey,
weighing only 1/35 oz, emerges, still in its amnion (protective sac). It frees
itself of this sac and begins the arduous, 3 minute climb to the mother's
pouch, with the umbilical cord still attached. Once it reaches the pouch, it
grabs a hold of one of the four teats and begins to nurse. It will leave the
pouch after 8 months but will continue to return to nurse for months
afterward.
Like most macropods, the embryo is kept in a dormant state while in the
uterus.
RELATIVES
There are approximately 55 members in the family Macropodidae, which
means "big foot". These include kangaroos, wallabies, tree kangaroos, and
wallaroos. The red kangaroo is closely related to the eastern and western
grey kangaroos.
RESOURCES CITED
1. Funk & Wagnall's Wildlife Encyclopedia, "Kangaroo", vol 10, pg
1171-1173, 1974, USA, BPC Pub Ltd.
2. estel.uindy.edu/outReach/guestSchools/tour/kan.html#info
3. www.hoglezoo.org/mammals/kangaroo.htm
4. www.phillyzoo.org/pz0069.htm
5. www.esl.com.au/redkan.htm
6. www.panda.org/kids/wildlife/kangred.htm
7. www.koala.net/animals/mammals/marsupials/macropod/
redkangaroo.htm
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