Red Kangaroos are the largest marsupial. They have a body length between 1 and 1.6 m (3.25 - 5.25 ft), a tail length between 75 and 120 cm (2.5 - 4 ft) and they weigh between 25 and 90 kgs (55 - 200 lbs).
Males are red/brown in colour with a pale underside and limbs. Females are smaller than males and tend to be greyish in colour.
They have large, extremely strong hind limbs and feet, short forelimbs and a long, muscular tail. When moving quickly they hop on their hind limbs and use their tail to balance, but when moving slowly they use their tail as an extra limb, taking their weight on their forelimbs and tail, and hopping forwards with their hind feet.
Habitat
Red Kangaroos inhabit the dry scrub areas and open savannahs of Australia. They live either alone, in small groups or they gather together in larger groups when resources are scarce.
Diet
Red Kangaroos feed on grasses and other vegetation. They can go for long periods of time without drinking as they obtain most of their required moisture from green plants.
Breeding
Red Kangaroos breed throughout the year and after a gestation period of 33 days, 1 joey will be born. They are born in an embryonic state, with only their front limbs being developed. During birth they use their front limbs to crawl into their mother's pouch and they attach themselves to one of her teats.
The joey remains in their mother's pouch for approximately 225 days. They are weaned at around 1 year old and they reach sexual maturity at 2 - 3 years of age.
Predators
Predators of Red Kangaroos are dingos and humans. Young joeys that have just left their mother's pouch may be preyed upon by large birds of prey.
Interesting Facts
A group of Kangaroos are known as a mob.
Male Kangaroos are known as boomers, females as flyers and young as joeys.
