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Red kangaroo - MACROPUS RUFUS
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Kangaroo": Probably derives from a native Australian word in the Queensland area. The Latin name means "long foot red."
Location: Australia.
Habitat: Terrestrial. Arid grassland, shrub steppe, and salt pans.
Description: This large kangaroo has long hind legs and feet, a long thick tapering tail and a heavy frame. Its coat is short, thick and reddish or reddish-gray in color. It has black marks on sides of its snout. Males and females are often of opposite colors in any locality. In males the head and body length is about 65", with a maximum weight of 180 lb, while females are much smaller.
Behavior: The red kangaroo is the largest living marsupial. It lives in groups, called "mobs," and is mainly nocturnal, especially during hot weather. Although it feeds on grass and selected short green plants, it is not in direct competition with sheep or cattle, as often stated. This misinformation is cited as the rationale for mass slaughter of the red kangaroos by ranchers. Red kangaroos remain active throughout the day in cool weather. The animal can jump 6 to 8 feet high, though 4 to 5 feet is more common. It covers a 12 to 14 foot distance in one leap, and in short bursts of speed it can attain 35 to 40 mph. Normally, however, 8 mph is its fast pace.
Reproduction: The red kangaroo breeds year round and has delayed implantation. Normal gestation is 33 days, with the single young leaving the pouch permanently after about 235 days, but continuing to suckle until one year old.
Go to the Marsupials Page to get a general discussion of these animals.
Or go to the Kangaroo Index to study other kangaroos.
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