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Red Kangaroos
The red kangaroo is the largest native Australian animal, and is also the largest marsupial that is not extinct. This species of kangaroo can be found all over scrublands, grasslands and deserts of Western and Central Australia. Questions related to the red kangaroo can be found under this category.
79 Questions
Red kangaroos are endemic to Australia, where they are found in the millions.
What do male Red kangaroos look like?
The red kangaroo is the largest of the marsupials, averaging 1.6 metres tall. Accounts of sizes greater than this are not uncommon, with some large males reportedly reaching approximately 2 metres (6.6 ft). Their weight ranges from 18 to 90 kg, with the females much smaller than the males.
Red kangaroos vary in the depth of their red colouring. Males can be a strong brick-red colour or a pale red. It has been observed that, in the eastern part of the range of the red kangaroo, females are likely to be more grey in colour, whilst elsewhere within their range both males and females tend to be reddish-brown. They have a black and white mark on the sides of their snout, and a wide white stripe extending from the corner of their mouth to the base of their ear.
Like other kangaroos, Red kangaroos are known for their powerful legs and short forelegs. The forelegs have no thumb.
How do red kangaroos communicate?
Red kangaroos make only soft sounds that can best be described as a sort of gentle tut-tut sound. When more aggressive, the noise increases to a louder grunting, and occasional hissing. Some people have reported hearing territorial growling.
Why do kangaroos have long legs?
Kangaroos have long legs because they are especially adapted for bounding over long distances in Australia. They are unable to move independently for walking, and the long hind feet are structured for long leaps rather than running.
Hopping is also more energy efficient. Kangaroos have large, strong tendons in their hind legs which act as "springs". Every time a kangaroo's feet hits the ground, some of the energy is shifted to the rubber, stored there, then recycled in an elastic bounce. The springing motion requires less energy than running does, so kangaroos are able to bound for longer distances than other mammals with the standard four legs can run. Kangaroos are able to travel long distances at a high speed, expending very little energy. This is linked directly to the physical action of bringing their hind legs up with each hop. Every hop literally refills their lungs.
