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The kangaroo is a peculiar Australian animal. Interesting facts about kangaroos (with photos) Where do kangaroos live in which countries

Kangaroo is a unique animal. This is the only thing large mammal, which moves in huge leaps, relying on powerful hind legs And a long tail. Their front legs are small and weak, similar in appearance to human hands. This unusual animal behaves mainly night image life, and during the day he hides in the grass, while taking funny poses. Lovers of nature and unusual animals will be interested to know where kangaroos live, how they reproduce and what they eat.

Variety of species

There are 69 species of kangaroos, which are divided into three main groups: small, medium and giant. The largest marsupial animal is the red kangaroo: its height at the withers is 1-1.6 meters, and the tallest males sometimes reach 2 meters. The tail length adds another 90-110 cm, and the weight ranges from 50 to 90 kg. These animals move in huge leaps up to 10 meters long, reaching speeds of up to 50-60 km/h. The smallest representative of this family is the musk kangaroo. His height is only 15-20 cm, and his weight is 340 grams.

The most common species is the red steppe kangaroo. In size it belongs to middle group and is distributed throughout almost the entire Australian continent, excluding the region tropical forests. The friendliest and most trusting species is the giant gray kangaroo, and the most aggressive is the mountain wallaroo. This animal can show unreasonable aggression and get into fights even when nothing threatens it. At the same time, wallaroos prefer to scratch and bite, but never use their powerful hind legs, like most of their relatives.

Habitats

Countries where kangaroos live are Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea, as well as New Zealand. Many species of these animals prefer to live on plains among thick, tall grass and sparse shrubs. Kangaroos are mainly nocturnal, so this habitat allows them to safely hide in daytime. The animals make large nests out of grass, and some species dig shallow burrows. Mountain views live in inaccessible rocky gorges. These small animals have perfectly adapted to their environment: their paws have become tough and rough to move safely on slippery stones. Tree kangaroos live in trees; they crawl freely and jump from branch to branch, but come down to the ground for food.

Kangaroos are herbivores. Like cows, they chew grass, swallow and regurgitate it to make it digestible. Eating can take place in different time days and depends on temperature environment. During hot periods, kangaroos can lie in the shade all day and go out to eat at night. One of the most amazing features is that kangaroos can go for months without water. On dry days, they feed on grass and tree bark, thus saturating their body with moisture.

Features of reproduction

Kangaroos breed in the wild once a year. The size of a newborn baby is only 1-2 centimeters, it is born completely helpless, blind and bald, so immediately after birth it crawls into a pouch on its mother’s stomach and attaches itself to the nipple for the next 34 weeks. If the baby does not reach the pouch and falls to the ground, the mother is forced to leave him: the baby is so small that the female will simply crush him if she tries to pick him up.

Inside, the surface of the bag is smooth, but in front of the “entrance” it is covered with thick, thick wool to protect the baby from cold and dangers. By using powerful muscles the female is able to close the pouch so tightly that she can even swim, while the baby remains completely dry.

Just a few days after the baby is born, the animal is ready to mate again. Having become pregnant, the female can stop the development of the embryo for several months while the already born baby grows up. When the baby kangaroo is strong enough to leave the mother’s pouch, the female again “starts” the development of pregnancy and after a few weeks a new baby is born.

Enemies of kangaroos

Where kangaroos live, natural enemies are almost completely absent. In rare cases, small individuals may be attacked by foxes or dingoes. There are also occasional attacks by large birds such as the wedge-tailed eagle. The only serious opponent of kangaroo animals in Australia is the marsupial wolf, but these predators were exterminated by hunters, and at the moment there is not a single individual left on the planet. Oddly enough, sand flies pose the greatest danger. These pesky insects get into the kangaroo's eyes, which in most cases leads to blindness.

Kangaroos live in flocks of 10-15 individuals. As a rule, the largest and strongest male is dominant.

Kangaroo meat is very nutritious and contains almost no fat, which is why it is very popular among consumers. Kangaroo meat dishes are served even in the most expensive and luxurious top-class restaurants.

These animals do not know how to move backwards; they walk and jump only forward. Residents of Australia, the country where kangaroos live, decided to depict them on their coat of arms, demonstrating that the country is also moving forward.

Female kangaroos can care for two babies at the same time of different ages. Youngest child lives in a bag, and the eldest only comes to eat milk. For this purpose, the mother has 4 nipples with different types milk: higher in fat for a newborn, and higher in carbohydrates for an older child.

Several kangaroos escaped from zoos in the United States, France and Ireland, and then managed to have offspring in the wild.

Kangaroos are unique and funny. Although most species are poorly domesticated, many zoos around the world are home to small flocks of these interesting animals, so nature lovers have the opportunity to admire them in person.

If you think about which animals are famous for their jumping ability, then only one representative of the family comes to mind. We are talking about kangaroos, the presented individuals can jump 10 meters in length and even more. And their jumps reach 2.5 meters in height and this is not the limit. Also, individuals can reach speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, overtaking prey. In this material we will consider everything that affects the individuals under discussion so that everyone can form their own opinion.

Description

There are quite a lot of varieties of the individuals under discussion, and the overall characteristics of the animals directly depend on this. On average, in terms of body weight they are about 20-100 kg. with a body length of 25-150 cm. The tail has a separate role, it serves as a balance and is 45-100 cm in length. The largest representatives of the family live in Australia, they are red and large. Heavy kangaroos live in the east and are called gray kangaroos.
The fur is compacted, gray, red or brown. Can also be combined. It must be soft and uniform. The upper part of the body of the individuals under discussion is poorly developed, most of the load falls on the lower part. The head is small in size and seems disproportionately small compared to the body. The muzzle can be short or elongated.
The forelimbs are shortened, poorly developed, and not very muscular. They have 5 fingers, practically no hair, and the claws are strong and long. The shoulders are narrowed. The animal's fingers are spaced at a certain distance; they grab food with them and comb their hair. Compared to the top, the lower section of the body seems gigantic. She is muscular, strong, wide.
The hind limbs are strong and long, as is the tail. The thighs are wide and muscular, and there are 4 toes on the paws. There is a membrane between the third and second, the fourth is equipped with a strong and long claw. Due to the special structure of the body, kangaroos can inflict serious blows on the enemy using their hind limbs.
The tail acts as a balancer and a kind of rudder. Individuals jump quickly, moving forward, but due to the structure of the body they cannot move backward. Their limb shape does not allow this, and their tail gets in the way.

Habitat

All people know kangaroos as the jumping inhabitants of Australia, and this is partly true. However, the presented individuals also live in other territories, for example, in New Guinea, Tasmania and Bismarck. They also brought these representatives of the family to New Zealand.
Very often animals can be found near human dwellings. Similar marsupials are found on the outskirts big cities and medium in area settlements. They also prefer to live near farmers' farmland.
Based on the observations made, we can conclude that these animals are characterized by a terrestrial lifestyle. They live in flat areas, near bushes and among thickets of thorny grass. Tree kangaroos are great at climbing trees, while mountain animals thrive among rocks, stones and hills.

Population

The main species of marsupials are not at risk of extinction. However, for certain reasons, the number of goals is decreasing every year. This is due to the occurrence of forest fires, a decrease in the natural habitat of kangaroos, as well as hunting, etc. human activity. As always, it is people who pose the main danger to living beings.
In Australia, it is prohibited by law to endanger kangaroos. The gray inhabitants of the western and eastern parts are considered protected. Wild animals are constantly exposed to shelling as a result of hunting.
While protecting pastures, farmers mutilate these animals. Poachers shoot for the meat, which is considered a delicacy, as well as for the skin, which is subsequently used for the production of leather goods. The meat is distinguished by its low calorie content and taste.
Generally speaking, the presented individuals are not in danger. But they have enemies in natural environment a habitat. Snakes hunt animals large birds, dingoes, and also foxes. To avoid encountering enemies, these individuals prefer to eat once a day in the evening, as soon as the sun sets.

Nutrition

To a greater extent, kangaroos prefer to eat grass, so they are considered herbivores. However, among all the diversity of animals, there are varieties that are distinguished by their omnivorous nature. The largest red individuals lean on the prickly and tough grass. Individuals with a short snout feast on roots, tubers, bulbs and other underground parts of plants.
Certain species of animals eat mushrooms and are directly involved in sowing their spore powder. Small wallabies are content with grass leaves, seeds, and small fruits. If individuals live in forest areas with moderate humidity, they feed on fruits, foliage, and plants. Arboreal individuals eat bird eggs and the chicks themselves, and gnaw the bark from the tree trunk.
The diet may also include clover, alfalfa, eucalyptus leaves, acacia, cereals, and other vegetation. Kangaroos consume cicadas and ferns. Small members of the family are more selective when it comes to food preferences. They go in search of food supply High Quality, often such food takes a long time to digest.
Large animals can easily eat low-quality food, but compensate for this with a variety of vegetation. They go to pastures in the late afternoon, but it all depends on weather conditions in the habitat area. If it's hot outside, then kangaroos will wait until the sun goes down, resting in the shade. Then in the late afternoon they go looking for food.
A distinctive characteristic of these animals is their undemanding nature in terms of water consumption. Individuals may not touch water for several months, in some cases even longer. The liquid is obtained from plant foods, also lick dew from grass and rocks. Some clever members of the species tear off the bark, then content themselves with the sap flowing from the tree.
Living in arid areas, large kangaroos have adapted to search for water on their own. They begin to dig wells to a depth of 100 cm or more. Subsequently, these watering holes are used by birds, martens, wild pigeons and other animals. The stomach of individuals can digest hard food; it is huge, but does not have many chambers. Some individuals of this family induce vomiting to get rid of food debris in the stomach. They then chew it again for better absorption.
IN digestive system There are more than 40 species of bacteria. They are responsible for the correct functioning and digestion of dietary fiber. Yeast bacteria are also present and serve to create fermentation. If we talk about the diet of animals living in the zoo, they eat herbs, oats, nuts, seeds, crackers, vegetables and fruits, etc.

Lifestyle

If you really want to know more about the animals in question, your best bet is to head to Australia and visit national park. In such a place, individuals behave exactly the same as in wild conditions. Kangaroos are animals that lead a herd lifestyle.
Most often they gather in small groups, which can number up to 25 individuals. However, mountain wallabies and rat kangaroos prefer to lead a solitary lifestyle. They never create groups. There are also small representatives of this species. They are predominantly nocturnal.
Large individuals, on the contrary, can be active both during the day and in the evening. The animals in question graze at moonlight when the heat subsides. The interesting thing is that the kangaroo herd has no leader. They are all equal to each other. Such animals do not have a leader because they are primitive due to their underdeveloped brain.
However, the individuals in question have a fairly well developed instinct of self-preservation. It is enough for just one kangaroo to give an alarm signal, and the whole group will immediately rush in different directions. The animal makes a voice that is somewhat reminiscent of a cough. In addition, kangaroos have excellent hearing. Therefore, they can hear the alarm signal at a sufficient distance.
It is worth noting that these animals are not accustomed to living in shelters. Only rat kangaroos live in burrows. As for natural enemies, such individuals have a lot of them. Initially, there were no European predators in Australia; later they were brought by people. Therefore, dingoes and marsupial wolves constantly hunted kangaroos. Small kangaroos were attacked by martens, predator birds and even snakes.
As for large individuals, such kangaroos can easily fend for themselves. However, small representatives of the same species are practically helpless. Individuals are not daredevils; on the contrary, they always try to escape from danger. If the predator nevertheless overtakes its prey, the kangaroo tries to defend itself very fiercely.
It is quite interesting to watch how the animal defends itself. The kangaroo delivers a series of powerful blows with its hind legs, while the individual rests on its tail. The kangaroo also tries to grab the offender with its front paws. Many people know that a blow from an adult can easily kill a dog. A person can easily end up in the hospital with broken bones.
Local residents claim that when a kangaroo escapes from an enemy, it lures the predator into the water. As a result, the animal drowns the offender. Dingo dogs have suffered in this way more than once. Among other things, kangaroos try to stay away from people. Therefore, it is impossible to see settlements of these animals nearby.
However, such individuals are often found near farms and on the outskirts of small towns. Kangaroos are not pets, but the presence of people does not frighten them. Individuals quickly get used to the fact that people often feed them. However, they do not allow themselves to be petted.

Reproduction

Such animals reach sexual maturity at approximately 2 years. Life expectancy on average is about 18 years. In some cases, some individuals even lived up to 30 years. During the mating season, males fight very hard for the attention of the female. This often ends in severe injuries.
After mating, the female most often gives birth to only 1 cub. Before the baby is born, the mother begins to carefully lick her pouch. It is in it that the baby will continue to develop in the future. Pregnancy lasts only about 1.5 months.
As a result, a completely blind baby is born without hair. The baby then develops in the mother's pouch for about 11 months. Moreover, the young almost immediately attach themselves to one of the nipples and do not come off it for about 2 months. During this time, the cub continues to grow, develop and acquire fur.
Sometimes the baby already begins to crawl out of the bag, but at the slightest rustle he immediately returns back. Already at the age of 8-10 months, the cub can leave the pouch for a long time, sometimes the mother begins to prepare for the next mating season.

Kangaroos can be considered unique animals. The development of babies occurs in a special pouch in the mother. This pocket protects the young animals from various types of danger and unpredictable weather conditions. The female can prepare for the mating season only after she is sure that her cub is ready for independent life. Kangaroos are a symbol of Australia, but this does not mean that such individuals will welcome any contact with humans.

Video: Kangaroo (Macropus)

One of the most recognizable and popular animals in Australia. Of course, his image is even present on the state emblem of the Green Continent! For every Australian, the kangaroo is a symbol of progress, non-stop movement forward, and all because this animal is purely physically unable to jump or back away.

Debunking the myth

Despite the fact that the kangaroo appeared before the scientific world more than a hundred years ago and has since been subjected to close study by biologists, this animal still remains a mystery to scientists. Even the name itself - kangaroo - for a long time it baffled everyone.

The most popular version of the origin of this name was the mythical story (precisely mythical) that “kangaroo” is translated from the local dialect as “I don’t understand.” Allegedly, this is how the aborigines answered the questions of the curious Captain Cook, who pointed his finger at a jumping marsupial animal unknown to Europeans.

Western gray kangaroo (female with grown calf in a pouch on her belly)

Now let’s say that they point a finger at something and say any (from your point of view) nonsense with a questioning intonation. You will probably guess what exactly interests your opponent - so let’s not consider the Australian aborigines stupider than ourselves, they probably understood everything.

So the version that sounds much more plausible is that “kangaroo” (kangaroo in one of the local dialects) actually translates as “big jumper” and the first to hear this word was not Captain Cook, but a completely different English navigator, William Dampier, about which and left corresponding notes. And if we adhere to the first version, then all the animals and plants of Australia would receive the name “kangaroo” from the Europeans.

Male red kangaroos are strong animals with muscular limbs, and their height can exceed human height and reach up to 2 meters. If aggressive, they can inflict fatal wounds on a person. The attack tactics are the same both when attacking people and when fighting with its own kind - standing on its tail, the kangaroo delivers powerful blows with its powerful hind legs. Gray kangaroos are no less aggressive, although they smaller in size(height up to 1.3 meters).

Another one interesting riddle- kangaroo's relationship to water. These animals, quite deliberately, drink very little. Even in extreme heat When water is available, kangaroos stay away from sources and would rather strip the bark from trees and lick the juice than quench their thirst with water.

Some scientists explain this by saying that water reduces the nutritional value of already meager food, so kangaroos prefer not to dilute it in vain useful material in your body.

Happy quokka

There are quite a lot of different types of kangaroos - more than fifty, ranging from the smallest, kangaroo rats, to huge, red kangaroos, whose height can reach two meters.

Great rat kangaroo, or red kangaroo rat (Aepyprymnus rufescens)

We least of all associate kangaroo rats with the classic kangaroo. They are more like rabbits, and, accordingly, lead a rabbit’s life: they scurry around in the grass thickets in search of food, dig holes or settle in ready-made alien dwellings. It’s hard to call them kangaroos, but since zoologists have decided so, let’s not argue.

Quokkas look much more funny - tailless animals, but already similar to real kangaroos, although the resemblance to mice is still clearly visible in the appearance of quokkas.

Quokkas are perhaps one of the most defenseless species of kangaroos; they prefer to live in small areas more or less isolated from the outside world.

Who draws crop circles?

Those kangaroos that we are used to seeing in photographs, television screens and in zoos are actually called wallabies. Wallabies are medium-sized kangaroos and they are the ones most adapted to life in captivity. One of the subspecies - the rock wallaby - has interesting feature: the feet of its hind legs are covered with thick and very tough fur, allowing it to climb up rocks.

Brush-tailed rock wallaby (Petrogale penicillata)

Thanks to this fur, the rock wallaby is able to jump on wet and slippery stones, and, if necessary, on inclined tree branches. By the way, wallabies are involved in this mysterious phenomenon like crop circles.

According to the governor of the island of Tasmania, these animals have been seen more than once in areas where opium poppy is grown (exclusively for medicinal purposes). Having eaten poppy seeds, wallabies for some reason begin to jump in a circle, and thus “draw” those same mysterious circles.

Interestingly, female wallabies are capable of producing two types at the same time. breast milk. From one nipple the baby, which was born quite recently, feeds, and from the other, the more mature offspring, which has already left the pouch, but occasionally appears to feed. Milk for him contains a slightly different composition of nutrients.

White-breasted wallaby (Macropus parma)

And wallabies in the wild can now be found not only in Australia, but also in England, Scotland, and France. For example, a group of about thirty wallabies lives literally 50 kilometers from Paris. These European colonies of Australian "aboriginals" appeared after one or more pairs of kangaroos escaped from zoos.

Over rocks and over trees

A species close to the wallaby, also of medium size, is the tree kangaroo. All the fingers of these animals have long, hooked claws, with the help of which they quickly climb trees, and sometimes even jump from branch to branch, not at all like decent kangaroos, but rather like monkeys.

Tree kangaroo (genus Dendrolagus)

To the ground tree kangaroos They descend with their tail down, so we can say that some species of kangaroo are still able to move backwards.

So, what about the big “real” kangaroos? Scientists count three types. The gray or forest kangaroo lives, as the name suggests, in forest areas; red, slightly larger - prefers flat places, and, finally, wallaroo - a sullen inhabitant of the mountains.

Mountain kangaroo or Wallaroo (Macropus robustus)

Unlike other types of kangaroos, which try to gallop away in case of danger, the wallaroo, especially if it is a seasoned male, is extremely pugnacious and likes to attack first. True, again, unlike other kangaroos, wallaroos only scratch and bite, and never use their hind legs in battle, and it is precisely the blow with the hind legs that is often fatal to the enemy.

Australians often keep kangaroos (small ones, of course) as pets. Usually these are kangaroos whose mother has died. For the baby, they sew a bag similar in size to a kangaroo's bag, hang it in cozy place and place the kangaroo there along with a bottle of milk with a nipple on it.

After some time, the baby gets used to the bag and can climb into it and climb out on his own. The most common name for such a pet in Australia is Joey, which means “little kangaroo”.

Konstantin FEDOROV

Today, any first grader knows the answer to the question where kangaroos live - in Australia. This continent is sometimes even jokingly called “the country of unafraid kangaroos.” The first meeting of Europeans with this animal was truly shocking. In the spring of 1770, a group of researchers first sailed to the shores of a continent unknown at that time, and from the first minutes of exploring the new land, the surprise of the expedition members only grew. The flora and fauna of Australia is unlike the usual European ones; it cannot even be compared with the nature of the American continents. Butterflies (see), lemurs (see), lions (see), giraffes (see), sharks (see), dolphins (see), the bats(see), kangaroos, ostriches, koalas, a variety of reptiles and amphibians - all these animals are familiar and familiar to us, but imagine how strange and surprising it was to see them for the first time.

Marsupial mammals represent the vast majority of all animal species inhabiting the continent. Kangaroos are also marsupial mammals. Looking at these animals, you are amazed at the wisdom of nature. The cubs are born tiny and defenseless, and pregnancy lasts about a month. Feeling the approach of childbirth, the female licks the pouch and the fur around it. And when the baby is born, along a licked path, he independently climbs into the bag, where he will live for another 6-7 months. The bag contains four nipples, each of which produces its own special kind milk, according to the age and needs of the baby. During lactation, the female can become pregnant and successfully carry a baby. In addition, two types of milk can be produced simultaneously, i.e. a female can simultaneously feed two cubs of different ages. The kangaroo's pouch has strong muscles that the animal can consciously control - not releasing the baby when it is too small or if it is in danger from outside. The pouch is absent in males. Regardless of where kangaroos live, all these instincts and habits associated with raising offspring are preserved.

Such different kangaroos live in Australia

About 50 species of kangaroos live on the Australian mainland. These animals differ in appearance, size and color, as well as in their preferred habitats. Conventionally, this diversity of species can be divided into three large groups:

Kangaroo rats live in forests and open areas.
Wallabies are medium-sized animals, most species live in the steppe.
Giant kangaroos - there are three species in total, two of which live in forests, the third in mountainous areas.

The kangaroo is a herbivorous mammal; the main part of its diet is grass and young tree bark. Some species do not mind eating the fruits of local trees. Other varieties do not disdain small insects as well.

Kangaroos have virtually no enemies in natural environment– average and large species Rather, due to their size, small ones are agile and move quickly. Like many other large animals, a large number of Kangaroos experience inconvenience due to insects such as mosquitoes (see), fleas (see), which are especially prevalent in summer heat. In case of serious danger, kangaroos are always able to fend for themselves - their main weapon is their massive hind legs; some species can box with short front legs. These animals are distinguished by cunning and intelligence - there are cases when kangaroos lured predators hunting them into the water and drowned them. Some species that live in arid areas sometimes dig wells up to 1 meter deep.

Where do kangaroos live and how?

IN natural conditions Kangaroos often live in small groups, but there are also solitary animals. After the matured cub leaves the pouch, the mother takes part in its fate for some time (no more than three months) - watches, cares, protects. Depending on the species, kangaroos live from 8 to 16 years.

Some species of kangaroos are now on the verge of extinction and are listed in the Red Book. In captivity, kangaroos live in nature reserves around the world, and they can also be seen in any large zoo. These animals are trained and can often be observed in the circus arena. One of the most popular numbers involving kangaroos is boxing. As mentioned above, almost all medium and large species of kangaroos can box with their upper short paws, so staging such a trick is quite simple, and performing it is natural for the animals.

Description of kangaroo

The word “kangaroo” owes its origin to the names “kanguroo” or “gangurru”. This is the name given to an animal with interesting structure bodies, aborigines of Australia who spoke the Kuuku-Yimithiri language. Currently, the kangaroo is an unofficial symbol of Australia, depicted on the state coat of arms.

Appearance

Depending on the species characteristics, the body length of representatives of the Kangaroo family can vary in a wide range - from a quarter to one and a half meters, and the weight is 18-100 kg. The currently largest individual of marsupial animals of this species is represented by a fairly widespread inhabitant of the Australian continent - the red kangaroo, and the largest weight is characteristic of the eastern gray kangaroo. The fur of this marsupial animal is thick and soft, black, gray and red in color or presented in their shades.

This is interesting! Thanks to the special structure of the body, the animal is able to successfully defend itself with powerful blows with its hind legs, and also move quickly, using its long tail as a rudder.

The kangaroo has a rather poorly developed top part body, and also has a small head. The animal's muzzle can be quite long or short. The structural features also include narrow shoulders, the front legs are short and weak, which are completely hairless, and also have five toes with very sharp and relatively long claws. The fingers are characterized by good mobility, so they are used by animals for grasping objects and combing fur, as well as during feeding.

The lower part of the kangaroo's body is very well developed and is represented by fairly powerful hind legs, a long thick tail, strong thighs and muscular legs with four toes. The connection of the second and third fingers is carried out by a special membrane, and the fourth finger is equipped with a strong claw.

Lifestyle and behavior

The marsupial prefers a nocturnal lifestyle, so at dusk it moves to pasture. During the daytime, the kangaroo rests in the shade under trees, in special burrows or grass nests. When danger appears, marsupials transmit alarm signals to other members of the pack using powerful strikes of their hind legs on the surface of the ground. Sounds such as grunting, sneezing, clicking and hissing are also often used to convey information.

This is interesting! It is typical for marsupials to be strictly attached to a certain territory, so they prefer not to leave it without special reasons. The exception is the huge red kangaroos, which quite easily travel tens of kilometers in search of more profitable feeding areas.

In territories with favorable conditions residence, including a good food supply and the absence of any dangers, marsupials are capable of forming numerous communities consisting of almost a hundred individuals. However, as a rule, such representatives of the order of marsupial two-incisor mammals live in fairly small flocks, consisting of a male, as well as several females and kangaroos. The male very jealously protects the flock from the encroachments of any other adult males, as a result of which incredibly cruel fights occur.

How long do kangaroos live?

The average life expectancy of a kangaroo directly depends on the species characteristics of such an animal, as well as environmental conditions in nature or captivity. The longest living species is the Rufous big kangaroo(Macrorus rufus). Such prominent representatives order of marsupial two-incisor mammals are capable of living for a quarter of a century.

Second in terms of performance average duration life species is the Eastern Gray Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), which lives in captivity for about two decades, and in conditions wildlife– approximately 8-12 years. Western gray kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) also have a similar life expectancy.

Species of kangaroo

There are more than five dozen species belonging to the kangaroo family, but only species that are large and medium in size are currently considered to be true kangaroos.

The most known species presented:

Large red kangaroo (Macropus rufus)- the longest representative of marsupials in size. Maximum length The body of an adult is two meters, and the tail is slightly more than one meter. The male's body weight reaches 80-85 kg, and the female's - 33-35 kg;
Forest gray kangaroo- the heaviest representative of marsupials. Weight Limit reaches one hundred kilograms with a standing height of 170 cm;
Mountain kangaroo (wallaroo)- a large animal with a squat build and broad shoulders and short hind legs. There is no fur in the nose area, and the soles of the paws are rough, which greatly facilitates movement in mountainous areas;
Tree kangaroos- currently the only representatives of the Kangaroo family living in trees. The maximum body length of such an animal is slightly more than half a meter. Species feature is the presence of very tenacious claws on the paws and thick brownish fur, which not only makes it easier to climb trees, but also camouflages the animal in the foliage.

This is interesting! Representatives of all types of kangaroos have good hearing, and by “pricking up” like cats’ ears they are able to pick up even very quiet sounds. Despite the fact that such marsupials cannot move backwards at all, they are excellent swimmers.

The smallest kangaroo species are wallabies. The maximum length of an adult individual, as a rule, does not exceed half a meter, and the minimum weight of a female wallaby is only one kilogram. Appearance Such animals are similar to an ordinary rat, which has a hairless and long tail.

Range, habitats

The main habitat of the kangaroo is represented by the territory of Australia and Tasmania, New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago. Marsupials were also introduced to New Zealand. Kangaroos quite often settle close to people's homes. Such marsupials can easily be found on the outskirts of not too large and densely populated cities, as well as near farms.

As observations show, a significant part of the species are terrestrial animals that live on flat areas overgrown with dense grass and shrubs. All tree kangaroos are perfectly adapted to moving through trees, and mountain wallabies (Petrogale) live directly in rocky areas.

Kangaroo diet

Kangaroos feed mainly on plant foods. In their main daily diet food included various plants, including grass, clover and alfalfa, flowering legumes, eucalyptus and acacia foliage, vines and ferns. Marsupials also eat plant roots and tubers, fruits and berries. For some species, eating worms or insects is common.

Scientists have observed that adult male kangaroos feed about one hour longer than females.. However, it is the diet of females that contains the most high-protein foods, which has a positive effect on the quality characteristics of the milk produced for feeding the baby.

This is interesting! Marsupials are resourceful, so they can adapt very well to many unfavorable conditions. external conditions, including the lack of usual food. In this case, animals can quite easily switch to other types of food, including plants that are not used for food even by indiscriminate and unpretentious representatives of the fauna.

Natural enemies

In natural natural conditions adult kangaroos feed once a day, evening hours, immediately after sunset, which significantly reduces the risk of unexpectedly meeting with many natural enemies. Damage to the marsupial population is caused by wild animals, as well as foxes and some large birds of prey.

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