Red Kangaroo

Images ©:
©Bob Winters

Macropus rufus

Males body fur short red-brown fur. Females body fur blue-grey with a brown tinge. Females smaller than males. Males up to two metres tall and weigh up to 90 kgs. Average size 1.5 m tall. Two forelimbs with small claws, two muscular hindlimbs, which are used for jumping and a strong tail.

Details
Type
Mammal
Group
Animals
Marsupial
Biology

The Red Kangaroo is the largest living marsupial. Adult males often fight each other in the breeding season, boxing with their front paws and kicking with their back legs. Females are sexually mature at about 18 months, males at about two years. A single joey is born at a time. The joey remains in the pouch for five to six months. The joey gradually spends time away from the pouch. Joeys are usually weaned at about one. Females can have three young with her at the same time - one as an embryo, one in the pouch and another out of the pouch still suckling.
Distinctive Markings

Very large kangaroo, with long-pointed ears and squared-off muzzle.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Diprotodontia
Family
Macropodidae
Genus
Macropus
Species
rufus

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

The Red Kangaroo has an excellent range of vision due to the position of its eyes.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Herbivore. Eats grasses and other green plants. It can go without drinking as long as green grass is available.
Habitat

Lives in most of dry inland Australia, including grassland, desert, mallee and mulga country.
Native Status
Native to Australia