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Meet the Mascot: Kangaroo

Scientific Name: Macropus

Animal Type: Marsupial

Height: 4-6 feet tall when standing

Weight: 40 - 200 pounds

Gestation Period: About 30-36 days

Life Span: 8-12 years in the wild

Habitat: Grasslands, open woodlands, savannas, and shrublands of Australia

Interesting Facts:

  • Kangaroos can hop up to 35 miles per hour in short bursts.
  • A kangaroo can leap 30 feet, as long as a school bus.
  • Kangaroos have a thick, strong tail that works like a third leg.
  • Kangaroos cannot walk backward.
  • Kangaroos carry and raise their babies in a warm, protective pouch.
  • Kangaroos live in groups called mobs.
  • Kangaroos can sleep while sitting up and resting their tail on the ground.

Diet

Kangaroos spend much of their day grazing and searching for food. They are herbivores, mainly eating grasses, leaves, shoots, and herbs. Most feeding happens during the early morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. Kangaroos have specially adapted teeth that help them grind tough plants, and their stomachs allow them to digest fibrous vegetation efficiently. By eating low-nutrient plants in large amounts, they get the energy they need to hop long distances and stay active.

Traits and Behaviors

Kangaroos are large marsupials with powerful hind legs, long feet, and a strong tail used for balance and support. Their thick fur can range in color from light gray to reddish brown. Kangaroos move by hopping, which  helps them travel quickly and conserve energy over long distances. Females carry and raise their babies, called joeys, in a pouch. Kangaroos are social animals and often gather in groups, where young kangaroos may box and play to practice importance survival skills.