Are kangaroos in danger of extinction?

Answer 1

Kangaroos, as a species, are not in danger of extinction. The animal most people recognise as the kangaroo is common and not even endangered. These animals, the Red Kangaroo and the two varieties of Grey Kangaroo, which are the largest of the marsupials, enjoy healthy populations throughout their particular habitats.

However, there are many smaller species of kangaroo, which are kangaroos in name only, and not in stature, appearance or even diet. Some of these smaller kangaroos are endangered, and some have even become extinct since European settlement. These include some species of wallabies, include the quokka, bettong, potoroo, tree-kangaroo, rufous-rat kangaroo (not to be confused with kangaroo rats), most species of rock wallaby and other wallabies such as the bridle nailtail wallaby. In most cases, their extinction (or their endangerment) is the result of the introduction of non-native predators such as foxes, feral cats and wild dogs which pose the biggest threat.