Overview of The Kanagaroo

The kangaroo is a marsupial native to Australia. It is also the national symbol of Australia. There are four species that are commonly referred to as kangaroos: the antilopine kangaroo, the eastern grey kangaroo, the red kangaroo and the western gray kangaroo.

The Antilopine Kangaroo is the northern equivalent of the Eastern and Western Grey Kangaroos. The Red Kangaroo is the largest surviving marsupial in the world - a large male can be nearly 7 feet tall and weigh 200 pounds. The Eastern Grey Kangaroo lives in the Eastern part of Australia, while the Western Grey Kangaroo lives in the Western.

A Red Kangaroo can comfortably hop at about 15 miles per hour, but it has been clocked going up to 44 miles per hour. It can also sustain a speed of 25 miles per hour for a mile. Kangaroos can hop further than any other animal on earth, leaping up to 25 feet in a single hop. It is estimated they can jump over 10 feet vertically. Kangaroos use their back legs to jump. They use their thick tail for balance and power. Female kangaroos can hop faster than male kangaroos.

Different species of kangaroos have different diets, although all are herbivores. Kangaroos travel from place to place looking for grass and leaves to eat. Some believe this is why they are built for endurance.

Although red kangaroos can grow to be larger than most humans, when they are born, they are only an inch tall. Baby kangaroos are known as a joey. The female kangaroo carries their baby in a pouch. After half a year, the joey is big enough and strong enough to leave the pouch and travel on its own.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net