These largest living marsupials in the world are found in abundance in Australia and are popular by the name Kangaroo. They are usually red or grey in colour. Kangaroos have greatly enlarged hind legs, a strong, muscular tail, small forelegs, a relatively small head, and large ears. They usually move around with a hopping gait. The long, strong tail is used as a balance when hopping and as a prop when resting or fighting. Like most marsupials, kangaroos give birth to small premature young called a "joey". Although the period of gestation (pregnancy), may be short, ranging from 27 to 40 days, the young may spend a long periods in their mothers pouch. In the case of the red kangaroo, they remain there for up to eight months.
|
| Red kangaroos are the largest of the living marsupials with the biggest males being 2 meters (or approx 7 feet) high when sitting down. They bound along at very great speeds on their two large hind legs, with their heavy tails moving up and down and is also used as a third leg when they are standing or moving slowly. Grey kangaroos inhabit bush land in southern and eastern Australia and Tasmania, while red kangaroos live on the plains throughout Australia. Kangaroos are ground feeders, eating various kinds of grasses and small plants. The scenic Kangaroo Island in Australia is a favorite holiday haunt for many nature lovers. | The unique continent gives you an opportunity to brush shoulders with wallabies, goannas, koalas, echidnas, dolphins, sea lions, penguins, fur seals, eagles, whales and ospreys, just to name a few and to forget the mesmerizing Kangaroos find in huge numbers here. |
