Meet the Kangaroo

Red Kangaroo
The Red Kangaroo is Australia's largest Kangaroo of the nearly 60 species in the kangaroo family, and is the most commonly known animal to represent Australian wildlife. It is the Kangaroo which dwells in our "Red Center", the arid portion of Australia. Kangaroos are most commonly seen throughout inland Australia and occupy mixed habitats of open shrub lands, grasslands, mallee scrubs, mulga country, and the desert.They normally move in groups ranging from a few dozen to several hundred individuals, and are known as Mobs . The makeup of the red kangaroo Mob varies but usually consists of a dominant male, a number of adult females, and young kangaroos of both sexes. 

Appearance

* There are distinct regional differences in the colouring of the red kangaroo. In the eastern part of its range, males are usually red (pale red to brick red) and females are a bluish grey

* Lifespan in the wild is thought to be around 15 years 

* Kangaroos have a black and white mark on the sides of the muzzle, and a broad white stripe from the corner of the mouth to the base of their ears

* The body posture of Red Kangaroo is upright except when feeding

* Kangaroo fur is velvety to the touch.

* The front limbs of a Red Kangaroo is small and short with heavily-clawed digits

* The hind feet are lengthened and powerful enabling the Red Kangaroo to travel at speeds as fast as 65kph (40mph)

* The weight of a red kangaroo ranges from 18kg to 90 kg 

* Kangaroos can range from being 74-140 cm tall, even to 2 m. The tail of a red kangaroo (used for jumping) ranges in length from 64 cm to 1 m

Breeding
Red Kangaroo females are sexually mature at about 18 months, males at about 2 years. There is a single young (Joey), though a mother can nurse more than one joey at a time. Red Kangaroo joeys remain in the pouch for 5-6 months. They emerge looking just like their parents just smaller.

Over a period of 2-3 months they gradually spend more time away from the pouch, returning to its safety when they feel threatened. Joeys are usually weaned around 1 year of age, but will normally remain close to the mother for another 6 months or so.

Desert Survival

Red Kangaroos are able to survive temperatures in excess of 40°C by using shade and avoiding activity during the day. Red Kangaroos also concentrate their urine to conserve water and thus can tolerate severe dehydration. They regulate their body temperature largely by panting and licking their forearms.Feeding

The red kangaroo grazes during the night on a wide variety of grasses and low herbaceous plants, though sometimes this grazing period starts late in the evening and ends early in the morning. When water is available it will drink but, if it obtains sufficient green food, it does not need to do so.

Communication and "Boxing"

Red Kangaroos will thump the ground with their feet to warn other members of the mob of impending danger, such as a dingo attack. When male kangaroos fight, they may appear to be 'boxing'. They usually stand up on their hind limbs and attempt to push their opponent off balance by jabbing him or locking forearms. If the fight escalates, they will begin to kick each other. Using their tail to support their weight, they deliver kicks with their powerful hind legs.