Red Kangaroo

Macropus rufus

Range

• The arid regions of Australia

Habitat

• Dry open areas with scattered trees

Diet

• Grass
• Leaves
• Shrubs

Weight

• 80 – 190 lbs.

Length

• 4.5 – 6.5 ft.

Conservation status

Least concern, thanks to protected areas and lack of major threats.

Life in a pouch

Baby kangaroos are born just 33 days after conception. They are born smaller than a cherry and immediately climb into their mother’s pouch. There the joey continues to develop for about 235 days before leaving permanently, returning only to stick in its head to nurse. The mother is usually pregnant again by the time the joey is out of the pouch.

Did you know?

• Kangaroo mothers can simultaneously nurse a newborn joey and a joey who is out of the pouch.
• They can reach speeds of 35 mph.
• On land, they move with legs together. In water, they move their legs separately to swim.