Kangaroo

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Single Kangaroo
A Kangaroo lying down.
Tisha Roo Bushtail, a fictional kangaroo character in Extinctioners

Kangaroos are four largest surviving marsupials in the world. They are macropods like their smaller cousins the wallaby and the forest dwelling pademelon. Predominantly known as a native species to Australia, some are also found in New Guinea.

Being a marsupial, the females (Does) have a pouch which is used to hold their young, called joeys from an early birth (approx. 4-6 weeks) through most of their young development. Kangaroos also feature a large muscular tail, used for balance, and a set of very powerful hind legs which can propel them at speeds of up to 70km/h over short distances.

In 2019, a reassessment of macropod taxonomy determined that Osphranter and Notamacropus, formerly considered subgenera of Macropus, should be moved to the genus level.[1] This change was accepted by the Australian Faunal Directory in 2020.[2]

Species[edit]

Four species of kangaroo include the Red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus), the Antilopine kangaroo (Osphranter antilopinus), Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), and the Western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus).

Terminology[edit]

In Australian common usage, male kangaroos may be referred to as "bucks," "boomers," or "jacks" and females "does," "flyers," or "jills." In the case of the Red kangaroo, a female may also be referred to as a "blue flyer" due to their bluish-grey fur color in contrast to the ruddy coat of the males. The proper name for a group of kangaroos is a "mob." Young kangaroos are called "joeys."

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Template:Cite journal
  2. "Names List for MACROPODIDAE, Australian Faunal Directory". 13 February 2020. Australian Biological Resources Study, Australian Department of the Environment and Energy. Retrieved on March 1, 2020.

External links[edit]

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