# Red Kangaroo (*Osphranter rufus*) The Red Kangaroo is the largest kangaroo and can hop really fast! They have strong legs and a long tail that helps them balance while jumping around in the wild. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Kangaroo, Red Roo ![Red Kangaroo](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424386/objects/1218.jpg) ## Appearance The Red Kangaroo is the largest marsupial, with males having a distinctive reddish-brown fur, while females are typically bluer-grey. It has powerful hind legs for hopping, a muscular tail for balance, and relatively small forelimbs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Diprotodontia - **Family:** Macropodidae - **Genus:** Macropus ## Interesting facts - A group of kangaroos is called a mob, troop, or herd. - Male kangaroos can 'box' each other using their powerful legs and sharp claws! - Red kangaroos can go for long periods without drinking, getting most water from plants. - Their eyes are on the sides of their head, giving them a wide view without turning. ## Special abilities - **Cooling Lick:** Red Kangaroos can lick their forearms, allowing evaporating saliva to cool blood vessels, helping them beat the desert heat. - **Baby on Pause:** Red Kangaroos have 'embryonic diapause,' letting them pause a pregnancy until an older joey leaves the pouch, ensuring survival. - **Balancing Tail:** Red Kangaroos use their thick, muscular tail as a counterbalance when hopping at speed and as a sturdy 'fifth leg' when standing. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 85-160 cm - **Weight:** 18-90 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-22 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 33 days ## Diet & Feeding Red Kangaroos are plant-eaters, mostly munching on grasses and leaves. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, forbs, leaves, shrubs - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Dingo (*Canis dingo*) — Dingoes prey on young or less healthy kangaroos. - **Eaten by:** Wedge-tailed Eagle (*Aquila audax*) — Eagles can snatch smaller joeys or injured kangaroos. - **Eats:** Curly Mitchell Grass (*Astrebla lappacea*) — Kangaroos graze on this abundant grass in their habitat. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Keep a safe distance and watch kangaroos from afar; they are wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red Kangaroo? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Red Kangaroo? 85-160 cm ### How much does Red Kangaroo weigh? 18-90 kg ### How long does Red Kangaroo live? 15-22 years ### How fast can Red Kangaroo move? 70 km/h ### What does Red Kangaroo eat? Red Kangaroos are plant-eaters, mostly munching on grasses and leaves. ### Where is Red Kangaroo usually found? Grasslands ### How does Red Kangaroo hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Abilene Zoological Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abilene-zoological-gardens) — Texas, US · Zoo - [African Safari Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/african-safari-wildlife-park) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Cape May County Park & Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cape-may-county-park-and-zoo) — New Jersey, US · Zoo - [Detroit Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/detroit-zoo) — Michigan, US · Zoo - [Southwick's Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/southwicks-zoo) — Massachusetts, US · Zoo - [Tulsa Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tulsa-zoo) — Oklahoma, US · Zoo [View all places to see Red Kangaroo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/red-kangaroo) ## Watch - [Play video: Red Kangaroo](https://www.snappit.app/videos/red-kangaroo) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=h-m0PI5O9k8) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Red Kangaroo: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-kangaroo)