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Red Kangaroo

Common Name: Red Kangaroo

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Infraclass: Marsupialia Order: Diprotodontia Family: Macropodidae Genus: Macropus Species: M. rufus
Binomial name
Macropus rufus

Description

This species is a very large kangaroo with short, red-brown fur, fading to pale buff below and on the limbs. It has long, pointed earlobes and a squared-off muzzle. Females are smaller than males and are blue-grey with a brown tinge, pale grey below, although arid zone females are colored more like males. It has two appendages with small claws (much like arms), two muscular legs, which are used for jumping, and a tail, which is often used like a third leg for balance.

The Red Kangaroo's legs work much like a rubber band. The males can leap over nine meters in one leap.

Males grow up to 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) tall and weigh up to 187 lb (84.8 kg) . Females grow up to 1.1 metres (3.6 ft) tall and weigh up to 187 lb (84.8 kg). Tails can be up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) long.

Interesting Information

• Kangaroos mobs are lead by the oldest kangaroo in the mob, he is called the boomer

• Kangaroos travel at 40 mph

• They can jump 25 feet long and 10 feet high

• Red kangaroos communicate by thumping their tail

• A red kangaroos 2nd and 3rd claw are fused together to be used as a grooming claw (to comb and clean themselves with)

Ecology

It prefers open plains where trees and bushes are scarce.

The Red Kangaroo maintains its internal temperature at a point of homeostasis (about 36�C) using a variety of physical, physiological and behavioral adaptations. These include having an insulating layer of fur, being less active and staying in the shade when temperatures are high, panting, sweating, and licking its forelimbs.

The Red Kangaroo is nocturnal and crepuscular, and largely spends the daylight hours sleeping or otherwise relaxing.

Feeding

The Red Kangaroo prefers to eat grasses and other vegetation. It can go long periods of time without water, as long as it has access to green plants as they have the ability to take moisture out of plants.

Vision

The Red Kangaroo's range of vision is approximately 300 degrees due to the position of their eyes. A human's range of vision is around 180 degrees in comparison.

Fighting

When male kangaroos fight, they may appear to be 'boxing'. They usually stand up on their hind limbs and attempt to push their opponent off balance by jabbing him or locking forearms. If the fight escalates, they will begin to kick each other. Using their tail to support their weight, they deliver kicks with their powerful hind legs.

Behavior

The Red Kangaroo is mainly active in the cool of the evening or night, and lives alone or in small groups called 'mobs' (although food shortages can cause them to congregate into larger groups). Membership of these groups is very flexible, and males (boomers) are not territorial, fighting only after females (flyers) which come into heat. The largest males are dominant, and control most of the matings.

Location or Habitat

The Red Kangaroo inhabits most of the dry inland of the central part of Australia in small groups called mobs.

Lifespan

Red kangaroos in the wild can live up to 15 years; In captivity they can live much longer.

Food or Diet

• They are herbivores
• They eat low herbaceous plants
• Eat a variety of grasses
• When water is available they will drink it however they eat enough green so they don't have to do so
• Graze in night time sometimes from late evening till morning

Threats or Predators

• Eagles and dingoes will eat the red kangaroos
• Tasmanian devils used to be a major predator of the red kangaroo however since they are scare in number they don't pose as any big threat
• Men such as sheep farmers shoot the red kangaroos on contact. This is because the farmers can't afford high enough fencing so the kangaroos will jump the fence and graze in their fields. This makes man a major threat to the Red kangaroos
• When kangaroos are forced to they will try to fight off the predator

Breeding or Reproduction

• Red kangaroo Females can usually have one baby at a time however on rare instances they can have twins. Although they usually only have one baby at a time they can nurse more.
• Red kangaroo reproduction is not casual because away times other males will drive the mating male away from the mating female.
  When it comes to breeding rights male s will fight. They will lock forearms and try to push each other off balance. If fighting continues they will deliver forceful kicks to their foes stomach area.
• They have one of the least complex courtship activities.
• Females mature at 18 months
• Males mature at 2 years
• When pregnant females are about to give birth they usually separate from the mob with a couple males.
• Pregnancy lasts 30-42 months to have birth
• When the Joey (baby kangaroo) comes out of the mother it is usually the size of a lima bean
• The mother is maternal until its old enough to live on its own this is usually a year
  

Conservation Status

Least Concern