Presentation about marsupials. Presentation on biology "class marsupials"

Students of grade 7 "B"

Gymnasium No. 2

Swede Svetlana and Globa Olga

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general characteristics

There are about 250 species. They live in Australia, New Guinea, and several species in America. The name was given for the presence of a special fold of skin on the belly in the form of a pocket, or bag, where newborns are placed.

Cubs are born helpless, small, underdeveloped. Their further development occurs in the bag.

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Kangaroo

Peculiarities

The presence of marsupial bones (special pelvic bones that are developed in both females and males). Body temperature is 34-36° C. Kangaroos give birth to live young and feed them with milk. Kangaroos have a pouch for carrying their young; it opens towards the head, like an apron pocket.

The special structure of the lower jaw, the lower ends of which are curved inward. Their fangs are absent or underdeveloped, and their molars have blunted tubercles.

Kangaroos are born just a few weeks after conception, while the mother kangaroo sits in a certain position with her tail between her legs, and the baby (at this moment smaller than her little finger) crawls into her pouch, finds a nipple there and sucks on it, feeding on milk.

The immune system of a newborn kangaroo is not formed, so mother kangaroo milk has a strong antibacterial effect.

Contrary to popular belief, male kangaroos do not have a pouch, but only females do.

It is much easier for kangaroos to move around during their long hops than to walk or hop little by little!

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Opossums

The dimensions of opossums are small: body length 7-50 cm, tail 4-55 cm. The muzzle is elongated and pointed. The tail is entirely or only at the end bare, prehensile, sometimes thickened at the base with fat deposits. The body is covered with short, thick fur, the color of which varies from gray and yellowish-brown to black. The structure of the dental system, limbs, and bag indicates the primitiveness of opossums. Their limbs are shortened, five-fingered; the big toe of the hind limb is opposed to the other toes and lacks a claw. The hind legs are usually more developed than the front legs. The dental formula is archaic: a full row of incisors (5 on the upper jaw and 4 on the lower jaw), well-developed canines and sharply tuberculated molars. All opossums have 50 teeth. Opossums are inhabitants of forests, steppes and semi-deserts; found both on plains and in mountains up to 4000 m above sea level. Most lead a terrestrial or arboreal lifestyle; the water possum is semi-aquatic. Active at dusk and at night. Omnivores or insectivores. Outside the mating season they lead a solitary lifestyle.

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Koalas, or marsupial bears

The koala is a medium-sized animal with a dense build: its body length is 60-82 cm; weight from 5 to 16 kg. The tail is very short and invisible from the outside. The head is large and wide, with a flattened “face”. The ears are large, rounded, covered with thick fur. The eyes are small. The bridge of the nose is hairless and black. There are cheek pouches. The koala's limbs are adapted for climbing - the thumb and forefinger of the forelimbs and limbs are opposed to the rest, which allows the animal to grasp tree branches. The claws are strong and sharp, capable of supporting the weight of the animal. There is no claw on the big toe of the hind limbs. Koalas inhabit eucalyptus forests, spending almost their entire lives in the crowns of these trees. During the day, the koala sleeps (18-22 hours a day), sitting on a branch or in the forks of branches; At night it climbs trees, looking for food. The koala's slowness is associated with its feeding habits. It has adapted to feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus shoots and leaves, which are fibrous and contain little protein, but a lot of phenolic and terpene compounds that are poisonous to most animals. To avoid poisoning, koalas choose to eat only those types of eucalyptus trees that contain fewer phenolic compounds.

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Carnivorous Marsupials

Predatory marsupials (lat. Dayuromorphia) - a detachment of Australian marsupials (Metatheria). Most meat-eating marsupials belong to this order. All of them are agile and skilled hunters, feeding on insects or vertebrates depending on their size. Some species feed on carrion. European settlers named many species after the familiar planar predators living in Europe, for example, the marsupial wolf or the marsupial marten.

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Marsupial anteaters

Marsupial anteater, nambat, anteater (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is a mammal of the family of marsupial anteaters; the only representative of the family of the same name. The dimensions of this marsupial are small: body length 17-27 cm, tail - 13-17 cm. The weight of an adult animal ranges from 280 to 550 g; males are larger than females. The head of the marsupial anteater is flattened, the muzzle is elongated and pointed, and the mouth is small. The teeth of the marsupial anteater are very small, weak and often asymmetrical: the molars on the right and left can have different lengths and widths. In total, the nambat has 50-52 teeth. The hair of the nambat is thick and hard. The numbat is one of the most beautiful marsupials in Australia: it is grayish-brown or reddish in color. The fur on the back and upper thighs is covered with 6-12 white or cream stripes. The eastern nambats have a more uniform coloration than the western ones. A black longitudinal stripe is visible on the muzzle. The belly and limbs are yellow-white, buffy.

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Marsupial martens

Marsupial martens, or marsupial cats (Dasyurus) are a genus of mammals in the family of predatory marsupials. The name was given due to some resemblance to real martens and cats. Also called "quolls". Body length 25-75 cm, tail 20-60 cm; weight varies from 900 g (Dasyurus hallucatus) to 4-7 kg (Dasyurus maculatus). Females are smaller. The body hair is usually short, dense and soft; the tail is covered with longer hair. The ears are relatively small. The color on the back and sides is from gray-yellow to black with numerous white spots; on the belly - white, gray or yellow. Females have 6-8 nipples. The brood pouch develops only during the breeding season and opens back towards the tail; the rest of the time it is represented by folds of skin that limit the milky field in front and on the sides. Well developed canines and molars.

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Marsupial moles

Marsupial moles are so different from other marsupials that they are classified as a separate family. They have a strong, ridged body ending in a small (12-26 mm) conical tail. The body length is only 15-18 cm, and the weight is 40-70 g. The neck is short; five cervical vertebrae are fused, increasing the rigidity of the neck. The tail is hard to the touch, with ring scales and a keratinized tip. Short, five-toed paws are well suited for digging. The claws are unevenly developed. The third and fourth fingers of the forelimbs are armed with large triangular claws; with their help the mole digs the ground. The claws on the hind feet are flattened, and the foot is adapted for throwing away dug sand. The hair of marsupial moles is thick, soft and beautiful. Its color varies from white to pinkish-brown and golden. Its reddish tint is given by iron, which is rich in the red sand of the Australian deserts.

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Marsupials of Australia Presentation for a geography lesson, grade 7

Kangaroo A magnificent, strong, graceful animal. The kangaroo genus includes 14 species, the most numerous and largest in size (up to 3 m) are the gray and red kangaroo (see photo). Kangaroos usually live in herds of 10-12 individuals. These are herbivores. Their cubs are born very small (2.5 – 3 cm), they live and develop in their mother’s pouch. The most terrible natural enemies of kangaroos are midges. These insects attack kangaroos going to watering holes, get into their eyes and sting so much that the kangaroos go blind. But the main enemy of the kangaroo is the person who hunts them for their skin, meat, or to protect their fields.

Koala is Australia's favorite animal. "Koala" means "don't drink" in the language of one of the Australian tribes. The koala has a very interesting appearance. He likes to sit motionless on a tree, grasping a branch with his front paws. Usually the koala is silent, but when scared and wounded, he screams and cries like a child. The koala is nocturnal and feeds exclusively on eucalyptus leaves, which is very surprising, because they contain poison - hydrocyanic acid, which can kill a sheep that has eaten a few leaves. Newborn cubs are only 15-18 mm and weigh 5 g. The mother carries the grown-up cub not in a bag, but on herself and takes very gentle care of it. In nature, the koala has no enemies, because... its meat is soaked in eucalyptus oil. But a person destroying eucalyptus forests greatly affects the number of these animals.

Marsupial comb-tailed rat This inhabitant of rocky and sandy deserts was found in Central Australia only at the end of the 19th century. His way of life is almost not studied.

Marsupial comb-tailed mouse The marsupial mouse lives in the Australian deserts. She often lies spread out like a lizard and basks in the sun. This mouse is very gluttonous. It is easily tamed by humans and lives well in captivity, destroying many house mice.

Marsupial marten This animal has a second name - tiger cat. The length of her body is 60 cm, and her tail is 50 cm! This is a ferocious predator, capable of taking down large cats and even dogs. Lives in the forests of Eastern Australia. The marsupial marten is a nocturnal predator, feeding on birds, rabbits and even young kangaroos.

Marsupial Tasmanian devil This animal looks like a small bear (body length 50 cm). The repulsive expression of his muzzle, black fur, ominous growl and bloodthirstiness gave rise to his name. The devil began to destroy the poultry of the first European settlers of Australia, his ominous voice caused panic, so he was mercilessly exterminated. Currently, the devil is found only in Tasmania.

Wombat This is a good-natured fat marsupial, up to 1 meter long and weighing up to 40 kg. It has strong limbs adapted for digging, with the help of which the animal digs large holes. The wombat is nocturnal and feeds exclusively on plant foods (usually sedges). The wombat's main enemy is humans.

Marsupial wolf This is the largest and strongest animal among the predatory marsupials, but there is no reliable information about its existence (it was last seen in 1960). The wolf reaches a length of 1.8 m; the shape of the muzzle, ears, and thick tail at the base are features that make the marsupial wolf similar to other marsupials. It is a nocturnal animal that hunts small mammals and birds. Sheep and poultry, brought to Tasmania by Europeans, became the wolf's favorite food, for which he was mercilessly exterminated. And when the dingo was brought to Tasmania, the wolf had a bad time. Some scientists believe that it was dingoes that exterminated the marsupial wolf on the continent, and then on the island.

Marsupial jerboa This small animal makes jumps up to 2 m in length. He lives in the savannas of Eastern Australia and the Central Australian Desert. The animal is insectivorous and nocturnal.

Marsupial dwarf flying squirrel The marsupial flying squirrel is a small animal capable of gliding flight that inhabits the eucalyptus forests of Eastern Australia. This nocturnal animal, feeding on nectar and termites, builds a round nest from eucalyptus leaves. The mother “stores” her cubs in the pouch for a long time.

Internet resources: http://www.zooclub.ru http://www.florafauna.ru

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Presentation on the topic: marsupials

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KANGAROO If you, dear friends, are asked who is the best jumper in the world, you can answer without hesitation – kangaroo. In Australia and some islands around it, and only these amazing animals live there, there are about 50 species of kangaroos. There is a myth about the very origin of the name - kangaroo. When Europeans first landed on the shores of Australia, the first animal they saw was a kangaroo. When asked what it was called, the aborigine replied: “I don’t understand.” This phrase sounded like a kangaroo. Not knowing the local language, the Europeans thought that this was the name of the animal, and began to call it that - kangaroo. Currently, linguists are disputing this myth, but I think, be that as it may, no one will change the usual name.

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Kangaroos feed on tubers and roots, which they deftly dig out with their clawed paws. These seemingly peaceful animals still know how to stand up for themselves (for example, in front of a dingo (thylacine) dog). To do this, they use strong hind legs. Kangaroos instantly transfer the weight of their powerful body to their tail and deliver a terrible blow with their hind limbs. On their hind legs, kangaroos have 4 toes with long and sharp claws like knives. True, most often animals flee for their lives. Pushing off with powerful hind legs, kangaroos rush with huge leaps up to 12 meters in length and about 3 meters in height. No other animal in the world can jump like that.

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The birth and raising of kangaroo babies is of no less interest. Even in the zoo you can sometimes see a curious little face suddenly peeking out of the pouch on the mother’s belly. At the slightest danger, the baby kangaroo hides. A kangaroo's pouch is a deep fold of skin that occupies almost the entire abdomen. The baby kangaroo is born blind, naked and tiny. Imagine, a kangaroo with a tail more than 2.5 meters long gives birth to a baby only 3 cm long. Once born, the baby immediately sets off on its first journey. Clinging to the mother’s fur with its sharp claws, the baby kangaroo crawls into the pouch. The mother feeds the baby with milk for about 65 days. But the baby kangaroo hides in its pouch from danger or cold until it is eight months old.

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Currently, the kangaroo population is not threatened. In Australia, kangaroo hunting is common. They are hunted for tasty meat and strong skin. But, as you understand, everything is good in moderation. And if the hunt for kangaroos is left to its own devices, this can change the situation, and not for the better.

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The numbat or in other words the anteater (not to be confused with the anteater) is one of the most toothy mammals on Earth. There are 52 teeth in his mouth. True, one cannot say that they are large, rather they are even underdeveloped, but their number speaks of amazing facts. Until recently, scientists believed that Numbat is a direct descendant of Mesozoic marsupial insectivores - the ancestors of all marsupials in general. And if so, then the numbat is the oldest mammal on Earth. The numbat or in other words the anteater (not to be confused with the anteater) is one of the most toothy mammals on Earth. There are 52 teeth in his mouth. True, one cannot say that they are large, rather they are even underdeveloped, but their number speaks of amazing facts. Until recently, scientists believed that Numbat is a direct descendant of Mesozoic marsupial insectivores - the ancestors of all marsupials in general. And if so, then the numbat is the oldest mammal on Earth.

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But recently, naturalists have reconsidered the position of the ant-eater and came to the following conclusion: such a huge number of teeth are the consequences of evolutionary development, so to speak, adaptability to a way of life. After all, the numbat needs to grind, although fragile, the shells of termites and ants, and in huge quantities. After all, the animal received its name “anteater” only because its menu consists exclusively of these insects.

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The originality of the numbat also lies in the fact that although it is a marsupial, it... does not have a bag. “How?”, you ask. That's how. Babies, just born, crawl along their mother’s fur to the nipples, and after sucking on them with their mouths, they simply hang. And only when they grow up, become stronger and heavier, do they begin to hold on with their paws. No other animal in Australia can boast of this feature. This is observed only in some opossums, which are known to live overseas - in America.

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Anteaters prefer to live alone. At night they sleep in a woven nest in a hollow or under some fallen tree. Even if he climbs trees, he doesn’t climb very high. Their sleep is unusual. They become numb, like some animals during hibernation. Because of this peculiarity of sleep, the numbat often becomes a victim of foxes brought to Australia and heavily breeding.

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During the day, the numbat goes fishing. It digs the ground, albeit shallowly, tears apart rotten wood with strong claws, all with one goal - to find its favorite termites. He sticks his long and thin nose into every crack and quickly throws out his long tongue to lick off the insects.

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Only two species, and only in Australia, and only in a very limited area, are anteaters found. The existence of numbats is under severe threat today. And, God forbid, I don’t have to move this article to the “extinct animals” section.

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The koala is probably the cutest marsupial I have ever met. Externally, the koala is very similar to a bear cub. Small eyes, protruding ears, a funny nose and very thick light gray fur make this animal very attractive. The body length of an adult koala can reach 85 cm, and body weight up to 15 kg. The koala is probably the cutest marsupial I have ever met. Externally, the koala is very similar to a bear cub. Small eyes, protruding ears, a funny nose and very thick light gray fur make this animal very attractive. The body length of an adult koala can reach 85 cm, and body weight up to 15 kg.

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The koala's limbs are very well adapted to life in trees, so they practically do not climb down from the tree, and if they do, it is only to climb to another tree. Koalas do this at night, because during the day they either sleep or simply sit motionless on the branches. Since the diet of these animals includes only leaves of eucalyptus trees, they are found only in eucalyptus forests. Interestingly, most eucalyptus leaves contain large amounts of cyenelic acid. Because of this, koalas have to carefully sort through them in order to choose a leaf with a low acid content. For example, out of 800 species of eucalyptus, they eat only 120 species. One individual requires up to one and a half days. During the breeding season from October to February, koalas gather in groups of up to 6 individuals, one of them is a male. Mating also occurs in trees. Pregnancy lasts a little more than one month. As a rule, only one baby is born per litter, which weighs about 5 grams and has a body length of no more than 2 cm. For six months after birth, the baby remains in the mother’s pouch, like a kangaroo, wombat or possum. The koala's limbs are very well adapted to life in trees, so they practically do not climb down from the tree, and if they do, it is only to climb to another tree. Koalas do this at night, because during the day they either sleep or simply sit motionless on the branches. Since the diet of these animals includes only leaves of eucalyptus trees, they are found only in eucalyptus forests. Interestingly, most eucalyptus leaves contain large amounts of cyenelic acid. Because of this, koalas have to carefully sort through them in order to choose a leaf with a low acid content. For example, out of 800 species of eucalyptus, they eat only 120 species. One individual requires up to one and a half days. During the breeding season from October to February, koalas gather in groups of up to 6 individuals, one of them is a male. Mating also occurs in trees. Pregnancy lasts a little more than one month. As a rule, only one baby is born per litter, which weighs about 5 grams and has a body length of no more than 2 cm. For six months after birth, the baby remains in the mother’s pouch, like a kangaroo, wombat or possum.

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After this period, he will move on his mother’s back for another six months, clinging to him. Female koalas leave their parents at the age of 12-18 months, males do this much later - at 2-3 years. The average lifespan of a koala is 12 years, although individuals as young as 20 years have been seen. Since 1924, more than 2 million koalas have been killed in Australia, so the government has banned hunting of these animals. At the moment, their main danger is considered to be fires and deforestation of eucalyptus trees. Today the koala population is 50,000 individuals. And I sincerely hope that the number of koalas will increase every year. her fur. After this period, he will move on his mother’s back for another six months, clinging to him. Female koalas leave their parents at the age of 12-18 months, males do this much later - at 2-3 years. The average lifespan of a koala is 12 years, although individuals as young as 20 years have been seen. Since 1924, more than 2 million koalas have been killed in Australia, so the government has banned hunting of these animals. At the moment, their main danger is considered to be fires and deforestation of eucalyptus trees. Today the koala population is 50,000 individuals. And I sincerely hope that the number of koalas will increase every year. her fur.

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Female koalas leave their parents at the age of 12-18 months, males do this much later - at 2-3 years. The average lifespan of a koala is 12 years, although individuals as young as 20 years have been seen. Since 1924, more than 2 million koalas have been killed in Australia, so the government has banned hunting of these animals. At the moment, their main danger is considered to be fires and deforestation of eucalyptus trees. Today the koala population is 50,000 individuals. And I sincerely hope that the number of koalas will increase every year. Female koalas leave their parents at the age of 12-18 months, males do this much later - at 2-3 years. The average lifespan of a koala is 12 years, although individuals as young as 20 years have been seen. Since 1924, more than 2 million koalas have been killed in Australia, so the government has banned hunting of these animals. At the moment, their main danger is considered to be fires and deforestation of eucalyptus trees. Today the koala population is 50,000 individuals. And I sincerely hope that the number of koalas will increase every year.

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Marsupial mouse The marsupial mouse is a predator, like the marsupial wolf, marsupial marten or marsupial devil. Yes, yes, I didn’t make a reservation, it’s a predator. The size of her victims, however, is smaller than that of others. But, say, it kills an ordinary mouse without difficulty, even if it is larger than a marsupial mouse.

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These small predators also do not complain about their appetite. Once we observed one of the smallest representatives of marsupial mice (there are 39 species of them in Australia). In just one night, this little one ate a lizard, along with its bones and skin, and even ate five May beetle larvae. All this weighed almost one and a half times more than the marsupial mouse itself weighed. These small predators also do not complain about their appetite. Once we observed one of the smallest representatives of marsupial mice (there are 39 species of them in Australia). In just one night, this little one ate a lizard, along with its bones and skin, and even ate five May beetle larvae. All this weighed almost one and a half times more than the marsupial mouse itself weighed.

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The female brings up to 10 babies. At first, as expected, they sit in the pouch of marsupials, and when they mature a little, they move to their mother’s back. So she travels with them. If danger suddenly arises, the marsupial mouse shakes off its young and runs away, taking the enemy with it. At this time, the kids scatter in all directions and hide wherever they can. Later, the mother always returns and calls her offspring to her with a gentle squeak. They answer her with the same squeak and quickly come running from all sides. The female brings up to 10 babies. At first, as expected, they sit in the pouch of marsupials, and when they mature a little, they move to their mother’s back. So she travels with them. If danger suddenly arises, the marsupial mouse shakes off its young and runs away, taking the enemy with it. At this time, the kids scatter in all directions and hide wherever they can. Later, the mother always returns and calls her offspring to her with a gentle squeak. They answer her with the same squeak and quickly come running from all sides.

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As I said above, there are 39 known species of marsupial mice. They are all different and unlike each other. Some of them look like rats, mice or shrews, others like jerboas or even miniature kangaroos. They also differ greatly in size - they range in size from a small mouse to a large squirrel. But one thing they have in common is that they are all carnivores, which means they are predators. As I said above, there are 39 known species of marsupial mice. They are all different and unlike each other. Some of them look like rats, mice or shrews, others like jerboas or even miniature kangaroos. They also differ greatly in size - they range in size from a small mouse to a large squirrel. But one thing they have in common is that they are all carnivores, which means they are predators.

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The animal called the marsupial devil is not called that for nothing. This beast is not just a predator, but truly a devil in the flesh. He is angry to the point of rage and even the sounds that the marsupial devil makes are similar to a roar with some kind of creepy cough. The animal called the marsupial devil is not called that for nothing. This beast is not just a predator, but truly a devil in the flesh. He is angry to the point of rage and even the sounds that the marsupial devil makes are similar to a roar with some kind of creepy cough.

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The marsupial devil is stocky, tightly built, all black and only small white spots on the sides, chest and rump add a little elegance to its appearance. The disproportionately large mouth “is equipped with powerful jaws. With their help, the marsupial devil can defeat even a large dog, despite the fact that its own dimensions do not exceed one meter in length, and then together with the tail. The marsupial devil is stocky, tightly built, all black and only small white spots on the sides, chest and rump add a little elegance to its appearance. The disproportionately large mouth “is equipped with powerful jaws. With their help, the marsupial devil can defeat even a large dog, despite the fact that its own dimensions do not exceed one meter in length, and then together with the tail.

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The marsupial devil eats any flesh food - frogs, lizards, rats, wallabies and even parrots. With great pleasure, the predator also takes advantage of the seafood that the waves bring to the shore. For this purpose, marsupial devils often take walks along the coast. The marsupial devil eats any food made of flesh - frogs, lizards, rats, wallabies and even parrots. With great pleasure, the predator also takes advantage of the seafood that the waves bring to the shore. For this purpose, marsupial devils often take walks along the coast.

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But the diet of these predators is not limited to the above animals. Many chicken coops and sheepfolds suffered from attacks by marsupial devils. Chicken or sheep are simply a delicacy for a predator. For this, farmers simply hated the marsupial devil. They exterminated the animal everywhere and achieved results. Now these peculiar predators remain only in the mountains of Tasmania. Although some naturalists are convinced that they also live in remote places on the mainland. But the diet of these predators is not limited to the above animals. Many chicken coops and sheepfolds suffered from attacks by marsupial devils. Chicken or sheep are simply a delicacy for a predator. For this, farmers simply hated the marsupial devil. They exterminated the animal everywhere and achieved results. Now these peculiar predators remain only in the mountains of Tasmania. Although some naturalists are convinced that they also live in remote places on the mainland.

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Around May, the female marsupial devil gives birth to four babies. Until September they live in their mother's pouch, which, like other predators, opens back. In September, the little devils leave the pouch and live in a nest made by a caring mother. The kids are very active - they run, jump and climb trees with pleasure, which adult marsupial devils can no longer do. Around May, the female marsupial devil gives birth to four babies. Until September they live in their mother's pouch, which, like other predators, opens back. In September, the little devils leave the pouch and live in a nest made by a caring mother. The kids are very active - they run, jump and climb trees with pleasure, which adult marsupial devils can no longer do.

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Class Marsupials

Completed by a 7th grade student

Osina Ekaterina

Marsupials- This is a fairly large group of mammals. In Australia there are about 200 thousand species of animals.

These animals are common in North and South America, New Guinea, and also in Australia. But most unique marsupials of Australia, because some species of these mammals can only be found here.

• Different people found their home here marsupials: from insectivores and peaceful herbivores to aggressive predators. They all vary greatly in size. Their body length can range from 10 cm (for example, Kimberly mouse)
• Like most others marsupials, kangaroos have a pouch for carrying babies, but it should be noted that some marsupials do not have one. - up to 3 m (gray kangaroo).

• Another kind marsupial herbivores of Australia- koalas. They are peaceful animals that like nothing more than to sleep and eat leaves. When the marsupial bear does not sleep or eat, it sits quietly on a tree. For this, he is loved among the locals. Koalas, like kangaroos, have a very short pregnancy, and the newborn baby is so small that it can fit in a teaspoon.

Marsupials of Australia:

Wombat - a kind and flexible “bear”

• This charming marsupial reaches a length of more than a meter and weighs up to 45 kilograms. Wombats are very popular among tourists due to their clumsiness and good nature. In Australia, wombats are often kept at home, just like we do cats and dogs. Wombats feed on plant foods, and in the wild they use long (up to 40 meters) holes dug by them to live.

• This small carnivorous mammal owes its name to the first European settlers in Australia. They were frightened by the ferocious temperament, sharp teeth, and soul-chilling night cries of this stocky predator. The fur color of the marsupial devil is dark, the body is dense and squat. In general appearance it can be compared to a small dog or a small bear.

Kangaroos are bright representatives of marsupials

• Characteristic features of kangaroos:
• short forelegs with well-developed motor skills of the toes;
• massive and strong hind limbs;
• small muzzle and fairly large elongated ears;
• as well as a muscular tail, which serves as a rudder when performing long jumps.

You can find kangaroos almost everywhere in Australia - there are about 55 species of them.

• The fox kuzu is a mammal from 30 to 60 cm in length, distributed in eastern Australia (entirely along the east coast), as well as in some places in the north. Now it lives not only in Australia - it was brought to New Zealand in the 19th century and took root there perfectly.
• They live in trees and feed on plant leaves and berries. The main activity occurs at night, and the main enemies are birds of prey and monitor lizards.

• The indigenous peoples of Australia were the first to establish contact with marsupial wolves.
• The marsupial wolf was the largest of the predatory marsupials.
• The last marsupial wolf died at Hobart Zoo in 1936. The dog-like animal was exterminated by Australian settlers.

• Australia is famous for its unique fauna: living creatures live here that are not found anywhere else in the world. Marsupials are a fairly large group of mammals that differ from placentals in their anatomy and method of reproduction. These animals are common in North and South America, New Guinea, and also in Australia.

General characteristics There are about 250 species. They live in Australia, New Guinea, and several species in America. The name was given for the presence of a special fold of skin on the belly in the form of a pocket, or bag, where newborns are placed. Cubs are born helpless, small, underdeveloped. Their further development occurs in the bag.

Kangaroo Features The presence of marsupial bones (special pelvic bones that are developed in both females and males). Body temperature is 3436° C. Kangaroos give birth to live young and feed them with milk. Kangaroos have a pouch for carrying their young; it opens towards the head, like an apron pocket. The special structure of the lower jaw, the lower ends of which are curved inward. Their fangs are absent or underdeveloped, and their molars have blunted tubercles. Kangaroos are born just a few weeks after conception, while the mother kangaroo sits in a certain position with her tail between her legs, and the baby (at this moment smaller than her little finger) crawls into her pouch, finds a nipple there and sucks on it, feeding on milk. The immune system of a newborn kangaroo is not formed, so mother kangaroo milk has a strong antibacterial effect. Contrary to popular belief, male kangaroos do not have a pouch, but only females do. It is much easier for kangaroos to move around during their long hops than to walk or hop little by little!

Opossums The dimensions of opossums are small: body length 750 cm, tail 4-55 cm. The muzzle is elongated and pointed. The tail is entirely or only at the end bare, prehensile, sometimes thickened at the base with fat deposits. The body is covered with short, thick fur, the color of which varies from gray and yellowish-brown to black. The structure of the dental system, limbs, and bag indicates the primitiveness of opossums. Their limbs are shortened, five-fingered; the big toe of the hind limb is opposed to the other toes and lacks a claw. The hind legs are usually more developed than the front legs. The dental formula is archaic: a full row of incisors (5 on the upper jaw and 4 on the lower jaw), well-developed canines and sharply tuberculated molars. All opossums have 50 teeth. Opossums are inhabitants of forests, steppes and semi-deserts; found both on plains and in mountains up to 4000 m above sea level. Most lead a terrestrial or arboreal lifestyle; the aquatic possum is semi-aquatic. Active at dusk and at night. Omnivores or insectivores. Outside the mating season they lead a solitary lifestyle.

Koalas, or Marsupial Bears The koala is a medium-sized animal with a dense build: its body length is 6082 cm; weight from 5 to 16 kg. The tail is very short and invisible from the outside. The head is large and wide, with a flattened “face”. The ears are large, rounded, covered with thick fur. The eyes are small. The bridge of the nose is hairless and black. There are cheek pouches. The limbs of the koala are adapted for climbing; the thumb and index fingers of the forelimbs and limbs are opposed to the rest, which allows the animal to grasp tree branches. The claws are strong and sharp, capable of supporting the weight of the animal. There is no claw on the big toe of the hind limbs. Koalas inhabit eucalyptus forests, spending almost their entire lives in the crowns of these trees. During the day, the koala sleeps (1822 hours a day), sitting on a branch or in the forks of branches; At night it climbs trees, looking for food. The koala's slowness is associated with its feeding habits. It has adapted to feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus shoots and leaves, which are fibrous and contain little protein, but a lot of phenolic and terpene compounds that are poisonous to most animals. To avoid poisoning, koalas choose to eat only those types of eucalyptus trees that contain fewer phenolic compounds.

Predatory Marsupials Predatory marsupials (lat. Dayuromorphia) are a detachment of Australian marsupials (Metatheria). Most meat-eating marsupials belong to this order. All of them are agile and skilled hunters, feeding on insects or vertebrates depending on their size. Some species feed on carrion. European settlers named many species after the familiar planar predators living in Europe, for example, the marsupial wolf or the marsupial marten.

Marsupial anteaters Marsupial anteater, nambat, anteater (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is a mammal of the family of marsupial anteaters; the only representative of the family of the same name. The dimensions of this marsupial are small: body length cm, tail 1317 cm. The weight of an adult animal ranges from 280 to 550 g; males are larger than females. The head of the marsupial anteater is flattened, the muzzle is elongated and pointed, and the mouth is small. The teeth of the marsupial anteater are very small, weak and often asymmetrical: the molars on the right and left can have different lengths and widths. In total, the nambat has 5052 teeth. The hair of the nambat is thick and hard. The numbat is one of the most beautiful marsupials in Australia: it is colored grayish-brown or reddish. The fur on the back and upper thighs is covered with 612 white or cream stripes. The eastern nambats have a more uniform coloration than the western ones. A black longitudinal stripe is visible on the muzzle. The belly and limbs are yellow-white, buffy.

Marsupial martens Marsupial martens, or marsupial cats (Dasyurus) are a genus of mammals of the family of predatory marsupials. The name was given due to some resemblance to real martens and cats. Also called "quolls". Body length 2575 cm, tail 2060 cm; weight varies from 900 g (Dasyurus hallucatus) to 47 kg (Dasyurus maculatus). Females are smaller. The body hair is usually short, dense and soft; the tail is covered with longer hair. The ears are relatively small. The color on the back and sides is from gray-yellow to black with numerous white spots; on the belly white, gray or yellow. Females have 68 nipples. The brood pouch develops only during the breeding season and opens back towards the tail; the rest of the time it is represented by folds of skin that limit the milky field in front and on the sides. Well developed canines and molars.

Marsupial moles Marsupial moles are so different from other marsupials that they are separated into a separate family. They have a strong, ridged body ending in a small (1226 mm) conical tail. The body length is only 1518 cm, and the weight is 4070 g. The neck is short; five cervical vertebrae are fused, increasing the rigidity of the neck. The tail is hard to the touch, with ring scales and a keratinized tip. Short, five-toed paws are well suited for digging. The claws are unevenly developed. The third and fourth fingers of the forelimbs are armed with large triangular claws; with their help the mole digs the ground. The claws on the hind feet are flattened, and the foot is adapted for throwing away dug sand. The hair of marsupial moles is thick, soft and beautiful. Its color varies from white to pinkish-brown and golden. Its reddish tint is given by iron, which is rich in the red sand of the Australian deserts.