Macropodidae - kangaroos, wallabies
 There are 54 species of marsupials in this family. They are found in
Australia and New Guinea. The have long rear feet and small front legs. They can stand upright by resting on their rear feet. They are powerful hoppers, and they have long, thick tails that they use to help them keep their balance. They have long, triangular heads and large ears. They are herbivores and most species are nocturnal. Species in this family include the
lowland tree kangaroo, the
white-throated tree kangaroo, the
black dorcopsis, the
yellow-footed rock wallaby, the
lesser forest wallaby, the
rufous hare-wallaby, the
red kangaroo, the eastern gray
kangaroo, the
black wallaroo, the
red-necked pademelon, the
quokka, and the
whiptail wallaby.
 The red kangaroo is the largest marsupial. It is found in central Australia. It stands about 5 feet tall and has a tail that is over 40 inches long. The male red kangaroo is usually reddish-brown and the female usually a bluish-gray. The red kangaroo can't walk, it hops when it needs to move! It can leap up to six feet in the air and can hop as far as 25 feet! It can hop at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour for short distances. The red kangaroo lives in groups or pods. It is nomadic and moves from place to place in search of food. |
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