ANIMAL: Red Kangaroo Macropus rufus Type of Animal: Macropod Habitat: Scrubland, grassland, desert, bushland, plains, woodland, dunes, savanna, semi-desert Location(s): Most of Australia except coastal, wetter areas Appearance: Males red & much larger/taller than females. Females have blue-grey coloration. Very wide feet & long tail. Food/Diet: Grasses, succulents, shrubs, leaves, bark, flowering plants, fruit, vegetables Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding on farms, zoos, & wildlife parks Lifestyle: Mobs consist of dominant male, 3-30 females & joeys, along w/ several subordinate males. During dry season, many mobs come together. Additional Info: Called: Male-Boomer Female-Blue Flyer Young-Joey Group-Mob Weight: Male-143 lbs Female-66 lbs Young-4.5-10 lbs Gestation: 1 month Height: Male-6-6.5 ft Female-4 ft Body Length: Male-4.3-5.2 ft Female-2.8-3.4 ft Life Span: 15-20 years Tail Length: Male-3.3-3.9 ft Female-2.1-2.8 ft Only predators of adult males are dingos & feral dogs. Eagles only prey on females & joeys. Fights between males normally consist of what looks like boxing. Most fights are highly ritualized & death almost never occurs. Largest marsupial in the world. In Australia, they fill niche of deer in America because no hoofed mammals native to Australia. Can go months w/o drinking due to obtaining water from plants. Chew cud just like cattle. They can’t walk backwards. Can hop 40 mph, jump 6 ft off ground & leap 29 ft off ground. Kangaroos shot by farmers because of competition w/ sheep for grazing. Females faster due to smaller size. Harvested, not farmed, for meat & skin. Fun Fact(s): Joeys jump head first into mom’s pouch when frightened. Kangaroo pictured on Australian coat of arms & Australian dollar coin. Females can determine sex of offspring. When joey born in pouch, it’s as small as a lima bean. Joeys remain in pouch for 5 months. Some males become aggressive in breeding season & are able to severely injure person w/ kick. Other than that, kangaroos docile & gentle animals.
