Red kangaroo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red kangaroo |
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| Macropus rufus Desmarest, 1822
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The red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) is the largest kangaroo. The word macropus means "big foot" and rufus means red. It is the largest mammal in Australia, and the largest marsupial in the world. It lives in the arid open areas of Australia which covers much of the country. It is not found in the south, on the east coast, or in the northern rainforests.
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Description
The red kangaroo is a very large kangaroo. The fur is short, red to brown in colour, fading to a pale colour below and on the legs. Females are smaller than males and are a blue-grey colour with a small amount of brown, pale grey below, although arid area females are coloured like males. The kangaroo has long, pointed ears and a squared-off nose. The kangaroo has two front legs with small claws. It has two strong back legs, which are used for jumping, and a strong tail which is often used for balance when standing upright. The tail is also used as a fifth leg when walking slowly.
The males can jump a distance of 9 m (30 ft) in one leap.
Males grow up to 1.5 m (5 ft) tall and weigh up to 85 kg (187 lb). Females are 1.1 m (4 ft) tall and weigh up to 35 kg (77 lb). The tails is about 1 m (3 ft) long. There are often reports of larger red kangaroos, with some males reaching about 2 m (7 ft) tall.
The red kangaroo is able to keep its body cool (36 °C, 96.8 °F) in a hot climate. Its fur acts to insulate the body and during the heat of the day the kangaroo will rest and stay in the shade. It also control its temperature by panting (breathing hard), sweating and licking its front legs.
The red kangaroo's range of vision is about 300° because of the position of its eyes. (A human's range of vision is about 180°).
Behaviour
The red kangaroo is nocturnal and crepuscular, and spends the day sleeping or resting in the shade. It is active in the cool of the evening and at dawn. It lives alone or in small groups called 'mobs'. Membership of these groups often changes, and males are not territorial. The largest males control most of the matings and chase off other males.
Feeding
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The Red Kangaroo eats grasses and other vegetation. It can go without water, as they are able to get enough moisture out of plants.
Breeding
The red kangaroo breeds all year round. The gestation period is around 33 days. The females are also able to delay birth of their baby until their previous joey has left the pouch. The young joey leaves the pouch at around 235 days old, but will continue to suckle until it reaches 1 year of age.
Fighting
When male kangaroos fight, they look like they are "boxing". They usually stand up on their back legs and attempt to push the other off balance by jabbing him or locking front legs. Using their tail to support their weight, they can also kick with their powerful back legs.
Relationship with humans
The red kangaroo is an abundant species and has even benefited from the spread of agriculture and creation of man-made waterholes. However competition with livestock and rabbits poses a threat. It is also sometimes shot by farmers as a pest although a "destruction permit" is required from the relevant state government.
Kangaroos dazzled by headlights or startled by engine noise often leap in front of vehicles, severely damaging or destroying smaller or unprotected vehicles. The risk of harm to vehicle occupants is greatly increased if the windscreen is the point of impact. As a result, "kangaroo crossing" signs are commonplace in Australia.
Peak times for kangaroo/vehicle crashes are between 5 and 10 pm in the evening, in winter, and after extended dry-weather spells.
If you hit a kangaroo or see one that has been killed try and check the kangaroo's pouch to make sure there isn't a baby joey inside. If there is, wrap it in a warm blanket and take it to the nearest wildlife rescue organisation.
Commercial use
The red kangaroo is hunted in large numbers in Australia. In the year 2000, 1,173,242 animals were killed. In 2009 the government put a limit of 1,611,204 for the number of red kangaroos available for commercial use. The kangaroo industry is worth about AU$270 million each year, and employs over 4000 people. The kangaroos provide meat for both humans and pet food. Kangaroo meat is very lean with only about 2% fat. Their skins are used for leather, and makes the lightest and strongest leather. Around the world, nearly all professional soccer players wear boots made from kangaroo leather.
Images for kids
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A red kangaroo skull at the Museum Wiesbaden, Germany
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A red kangaroo in an arid environment
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A red kangaroo at Desert Park, Alice Springs
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A mob of red kangaroos at the Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens
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Two fighting male red kangaroos
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A joey in a pouch at the Dresden Zoo in Dresden, Germany
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See also
In Spanish: Macropus rufus para niños
