Red Kangaroo Scientific Name: Macropus rufus Class: Mammalia Order: Marsupialia Physical Adaptations: Elongated hind feet which enable them to make great leaps Fur on male’s back and chest is red in color during breeding season while gray other times Females are colored gray or blue gray
Behavioral Adaptations: Adult kangaroo can travel at 40 mph and leap 27 feet at a bound and 10 feet high
Primary Diet: Wild: grass, leaves Zoo: browse, Missouri kangaroo wallaby chow, greens, hay, mineral and salt blocks HERBIVORE
Seek shelter of woodlands when alarmed In close association with humans and have coped to living with them very well
Habitat/Biome: Grasslands, no trees or brush
Distribution: Australia
Status: Least concern by IUCN, Population trend stable Special Notes: IUCN Category: LC (least concern) CITES Listing: None Threats Include: Dingo; Regulated harvesting for meat and hides
Fun Facts: Mature males can be twice the size of females Male is called a Boomer and a female is called a Blue-flyer, a baby is called a Joey and a group of kangaroos is called a mob. Use their claws on their hands like a comb to brush through their fur
Additional Notes: Gestation: 33 days , 240 days in pouch Weight: 40-200 lbs. Life Span: up to 16 years Information Sources (12/2010): Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Animal Facts Red List IUCN Website www.iucnredlist.org