Best-known for their strength, power and beauty, kangaroos, scientifically known as ‘Macropods’ meaning ‘great footed,’ are the most famous and curious creatures of Australian wildlife that attract overseas visitors and locals alike. Standing proud and tall on the Australian coat of arms to symbolize country progress (as they always move forward), they belong to the most recognizable icons in the world and are a very important part of Australian culture.
Types of Kangaroos
There exist at least 65 species of kangaroos and their close relatives, most of them occupying almost all areas of Australia, from desert plains to tropical rainforests and beaches, and only a small, but unique assortment found in New Guinea. Most species of Australian kangaroos are endemic.
Red Kangaroo (Macropus Rufus) is the largest marsupial in the world with a height of 6 feet and a weigh of 300 pounds. Males are a reddish color and can have a 1 meter long tail, while females have a grey color and are smaller. Red kangaroos are mostly found in the central part of Australia, where you will find scattered trees, little rainfall and very hot weather. Though they are technically the tallest of the large species but the impact factor of the Eastern grey is something different.
Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is another well-known species of kangaroo that is found on the eastern coastlines of Australia. As is common in all species, they move by hopping (usually 9 meters per hop) and have strong legs designed so that they expend less energy the faster they are moving.
Originally thought to be a sub-species of the Eastern grey, Western Grey Kangaroo is now considered a species of its own kind. The Western Grey Male Kangaroos smell of curry, that is why they are called Stinkers.
Tree-kangaroos are another interesting species that live in trees. With the help of their tails, that are floppy rather than stiff and hang down, they easily hop about from branch to branch.
Interesting Kangaroo Facts
- It has been estimated that there are 26 million kangaroos in Australia.
- Kangaroos are grazing animals that eat grass, young shoots and, like camels, they need very little water to survive.
- These interesting animal moves by hopping on its powerful hind legs using its thick long tail to balance the body.
- Kangaroos are used to live up to 20 years in captivity while in the wild they can live up to only 6 years.
- Father kangaroos are called jacks, bucks or boomers, mothers – flyers or jills, while baby kangaroos are called joeys.
- These wonderful creatures are born a mere 1-1.5 centimeters long weighing less than a gram.
- Kangaroo groups or the so called ‘mobs’ consist of about ten animals, including one dominant male.
- Baby kangaroos are born really tiny after only 31-36 days of gestation, crawling into its mother’s pouch where they drink milk from their mother’s teat.
- Mother kangaroos can mate and become pregnant just after a joey is born.
- Kangaroos have a habit of ‘boxing’ and have dangerously sharp toenails.
- When kangaroos ‘box,’ they sometimes hold themselves up with their tail and kick with their feet.
- Kangaroos can swim, moving by jumping 30 feet far and 6 feet high.
- Unlike other four-legged mammals, kangaroos cannot walk backwards.
All the wildlife parks have kangaroos, so if you love these creatures and are seeking adventure, do not miss out the unique chance to get very close to them, feed and photograph!
Syndey hotels are offering great deals so you can get up close and personal with these amazing creatures anytime you want! Don’t miss the savings or the adventure!
abselutly fantastic photos. the kangaroo is a magnifisent animal to paint, aspecialy in my stile. have a look
at my website and see how i painted all my animals. i paint only the animals who are brilyently shaped for
sculpting and painting, i am sure you know what i mean by saying that, artist to artists, who can take such
magnifisent photos from the kagaroo.
thanks.
anat oren