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Red Kangaroo
Camel & Zebra
Did You Know?
- Red kangaroos are the largest living marsupials—and the most widespread.
- They can hop more than 35 miles per hour and cover over 25 feet in a single jump.
- Red kangaroos weigh just a quarter of an ounce at birth.
Don’t See the Animals?
Why aren’t animals visible at all times? To promote positive animal welfare, we provide animals with choices. They can choose to spend time in areas that are out of public view.
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Overview
Scientific Name: Macropus rufus
Class: Mammals
Diet: Grasses
Range: Australia
Endangered Status: Least Concern
More Information
Red kangaroos typically weigh between 40–120 pounds, although some males may get even heavier. Their bodies are between 3 and 4.5 feet long, with a tail adding an additional 2 or 3 feet. If needed, they can support their weight with that tail, and they use it for balance when they are moving. Their ears can swivel 180 degrees.
These animals are primarily grazers that travel long distances to find areas of recent rainfall. They live in groups called mobs, which may include a male, females, and their offspring. Adults of different sexes do not necessarily stick together permanently, however. When born, they are in an almost embryonic state, and must climb from the mother’s birth canal to the opening of her pouch to find a nipple that they nurse from for the next two or three months. They use the pouch until they are about eight months old. The mother can still become pregnant during this time.
