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Macropus rufus

Macropus rufus

The red kangaroo is the largest kangaroo and can hop very fast! They have strong legs and long tails that help them balance while jumping around in the wild.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Macropus rufus is Australia's largest marsupial, with males displaying reddish-brown fur and females having bluer-grey coats. They possess powerful hind legs, disproportionately small forelimbs, and a very thick, muscular tail that distinguishes them from smaller kangaroo species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderDiprotodontiaFamilyMacropodidaeGenusMacropus
Macropus rufus
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Macropus rufus

Category

Mammals

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A group of kangaroos is called a mob!

Kangaroos cannot walk backwards, only forwards!

Mother kangaroos can produce different kinds of milk simultaneously for joeys of varying ages.

They can go for long periods without drinking, getting most water from their diet.

Special abilities

Ability

Super Hopper

Macropus rufus can travel at high speeds and cover great distances using powerful hind legs that store and release energy with each hop.

Ability

Balancing Tail

Macropus rufus uses its long, muscular tail as a counterbalance for stability during high-speed hopping and as a supportive 'fifth leg' when standing.

Ability

Joey Nursery Pouch

Macropus rufus mothers have a special abdominal pouch that keeps their baby joeys safe, warm, and fed until they are ready to explore.

Ability

Desert Cooler

Macropus rufus can lick its forearms to cool down, as evaporating saliva helps chill the blood flowing close to the skin surface.

Measurements & details

Length
190-270 cm
Weight
18-90 kg
Lifespan
15-22 years
Top Speed
65 km/h
Litter Size
1
Gestation
33 days

Diet & Feeding

Red kangaroos are herbivores, meaning they primarily eat plants, especially fresh grasses.

Primary Foods

  • Mitchell grass
  • Kangaroo grass
  • Spinifex grass
  • various forbs
  • leaves of shrubs

Foraging Method

  • Grazing

Ecological connections

eaten by

Dingo

Canis dingo

Young or weak kangaroos are prey for dingoes.

eaten by

Wedge-tailed Eagle

Aquila audax

Eagles can prey on vulnerable joeys.

eats

Kangaroo Grass

Themeda triandra

This grass is a common food source for red kangaroos.

shelters

Mulga

Acacia aneura

Mulga trees provide crucial shade in hot, arid environments.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Always watch from a distance and never try to touch wild animals like kangaroos.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Macropus rufus?

190-270 cm

How much does Macropus rufus weigh?

18-90 kg

How long does Macropus rufus live?

15-22 years

How fast can Macropus rufus move?

65 km/h

What does Macropus rufus eat?

Red kangaroos are herbivores, meaning they primarily eat plants, especially fresh grasses.

Where is Macropus rufus usually found?

Grasslands

How does Macropus rufus hunt?

Grazing

How many babies does Macropus rufus usually have?

1

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