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A kangaroo is a species of herbivorous leaping marsupials found across Australia and New Guinea.
They are all members of the family Macropodidae. There are three distinctly named groups of leaping
marsupials found across Australia; these are, the Kangaroo, the largest of the species, the wallaby, the
smallest and the wallaroo the middle size species. Another group, the tree-kangaroo, which inhabits
New Guinea but is also found in a small area of north-eastern Queensland, is similar in size to the walla-
roo. Even smaller marsupials are found in iso-
lated areas across Australia, like the musky rat
-kangaroo and allied rock-wallaby. Overall,
there is around 65 species of leaping marsupi-
als. The term kangaroo is commonly used
when referring to the larger of the species, of
which, there are four, the red kangaroo, an-
tilopine kangaroo, western & eastern grey
kangaroo.

Kangaroos have a powerful muscular
body, short forelimbs with small hands bran-
dishing five long clawed fingers, large powerful
hind legs and long narrow feet with four toes.
Their head is relatively small with a short
pointed snout, round front pointing eyes and a
pair of large pointed ears. They have a long ex-
Genera of Macropodidae
ceptionally thick and powerful tail that tapers
Genus Macropus Genus Dorcopsulus to a rounded end they use primarily for balance, but
Western grey kangaroo, Genus Lagorchestes many of the larger Kangaroos, use it as a makeshift
Eastern grey kangaroo, Genus Onychogalea fifth limb. For instance, when fighting, they often use
Genus Osphranter Genus Petrogale the tail to lift them; freeing their hindlimbs to kick out.
When grazing, the largest of the species, the red kan-
Antilopine kangaroo, Genus Setonix garoo, is often seen, hindlimbs dangling, using only its
Black wallaroo, Genus Thylogale tail, and its forearms to graze. Their primary source of
Common wallaroo, food is from grazing grass, and kangaroos have a
Red kangaroo, Genus Wallabia unique set of specialized teeth made for the task. Its
See;Macropodiformes
Genus Notamacropus incisors are able to crop grass right to the ground. Its
Agile wallaby, molars then take over and quickly grind down the
Black-striped wallaby, grass. This single cut and grind motion means the kan-
Tammar wallaby, garoo can graze a large area in a very short period of time.
Western brush wallaby, The habitats all kangaroos reside in are extensive and varied. The tree-
Parma wallaby, kangaroo, for instance, lives in the tropical rainforests of New Guinea and a
Pretty-faced wallaby, small part of Queensland, the red kangaroo, in the large semi-arid area of
Red-necked wallaby, central Australia and the eastern grey kangaroo, occupies the large fertile
Genus Dendrolagus: tree- east, while the western grey, the cooler southern part of the continent. The
kangaroos hot tropical north is inhabited by the antilopine kangaroo. Living among
Grizzled tree-kangaroo, them are the smallest of the species, like the Short-eared rock-wallaby.
Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo, They live in much smaller pockets of land dotted across the country.
Bennett's tree-kangaroo,
Ursine tree-kangaroo, Kangaroos are strictly herbivorous, most species grazing on a wide va-
Matschie's tree-kangaroo, riety of grasses while some species prefer to eat shrubs. They are nocturnal,
Doria's tree-kangaroo, resting during the day and foraging in the twilight hours. Although some are
Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo, solitary, others are very sociable often gathering together in groups (a Mob)
of 50 or more. However, when danger threatens, announced by one thrash-
Lowlands tree-kangaroo, ing its tail on the ground, the group disintegrates as each animal takes off at
Golden-mantled tree- speed in all different directions. They are very fast in their escape, a male (a
kangaroo, Boomer), can leap to a length of 9.1 metres, a height of 3 metres, and a
Seri's tree-kangaroo, speed of around 60km/h, while the smaller female (a Jill) is slower. Large
Dingiso, kangaroos have few predators, however, the young (a Joey) and the smaller
Tenkile, species are vulnerable to attacks by dingoes, birds of prey and feral cats and
Wondiwoi tree-kangaroo, dogs. Kangaroos are also first rate swimmers and have been known to
Ifola, drown pursuing animals by holding the animals head under the water.