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| Red kangaroos live over
most of the dry, inland, central part of Australia. This expansive
area includes scrubland, grassland, and desert habitats. |
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The Red Kangaroo is approximately
5 feet long and has a tail that is about 42 inches long. This tail
is used as a balance mechanism. Red Kangaroos can't walk and are
limited to hopping as a means of locomotion. However, they are able
to jump 29 feet in distance and 6 feet in height. For short periods
they can attain a speed of 35 mph. They can maintain a speed of
12 mph for hours. |
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Their coloring, which is generally
red, closely matches the red soil of the Australian desert outback,
giving them a natural camouflage. Females' fur is often more blue-grey
in color, and they are often referred to as "blue fliers.". |
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Red kangaroos
don't see very well close up, but they can spot the slightest movement
at great distances. This benefits them in their open desert habitat. |
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Red kangaroos travel in groups
called mobs. They tend to be semi-nomadic and are led by an older
male. When threatened, kangaroos will usually flee although they
will fight when necessary. They fight using the forefeet to hold
the antagonist while rearing on the tail and giving powerful kicks
with the hind feet. |
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Eating takes place mostly
at night, but may begin in the late evening and extend into
early morning. Red kangaroos are exclusively plant-eaters,
with a preference for green herbage including grasses and
flowering plants. These herbivores can go without water for
long periods of time by consuming moisture-filled succulent
plants. The early part of the day is spent grazing. The kangaroo's
upper limbs end in clawed paws used with great dexterity in
eating, grooming, and self-defense. |
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| When a kangaroo is born, it is blind
and has no fur. The 3/4 of an inch long (2cm) Joey takes three
minutes to climb, without help, through the fur on its mother's
belly into the her pouch. Once inside, the Joey clamps onto
one of her four teats and sucks her milk. For the first four
months it doesn't let go of the teat. Once it has a covering
of fur the young Joey leaves the pouch for short exploring
trips. The Joey stays out for longer periods returning only
for milk, until it becomes independent. |
A Joey peaks out of
its mother's pouch. |
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Red kaqngaroos
are often hunted for their skins and meat. Nearly 3 million square
miles of Australian territory now lies within the boundaries of
excellent national parks. Some areas protect red kangaroos. However,
some Australian states do not regulate the hunting of red kangaroos,
thus their population may still be threatened. |
