Kangaroo is a herbivore. The kangaroo is the calling card of Australia. What does a kangaroo look like? Description and characteristics of the animal

If you think about which animals are famous for their jumping ability, then only one representative of the family comes to mind. We are talking about kangaroos, the presented individuals can jump 10 meters in length and even more. And their jumps reach 2.5 meters in height and this is not the limit. Also, individuals can reach speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, overtaking prey. IN this material we will consider everything that affects the individuals under discussion so that everyone can form their own opinion.

Description

1. There are quite a lot of varieties of the individuals under discussion, and the overall characteristics of the animals directly depend on this. On average, in terms of body weight they are about 20-100 kg. with a body length of 25-150 cm. The tail has a separate role, it serves as a balancer and is 45-100 cm in length. The most major representatives families live in Australia, they are red and large. Heavy kangaroos live in the east and are called gray kangaroos.
2. The fur is compacted, gray, red or brown. Can also be combined. It must be soft and uniform. Top part The bodies of the individuals under discussion are poorly developed, most of the load falls on the bottom. The head is small in size and seems disproportionately small compared to the body. The muzzle can be short or elongated.
3. The forelimbs are shortened, poorly developed, and not very muscular. They have 5 fingers, practically no hair, and the claws are strong and long. The shoulders are narrowed. The animal's fingers are spaced at a certain distance; they grab food with them and comb their hair. Compared to the top, the lower section of the body seems gigantic. She is muscular, strong, wide.
4. The hind limbs are strong and long, as is the tail. The thighs are wide and muscular, and there are 4 toes on the paws. There is a membrane between the third and second, the fourth is equipped with a strong and long claw. Due to the special structure of the body, kangaroos can inflict serious blows on the enemy using their hind limbs.
5. The tail acts as a balancer and a kind of rudder. Individuals jump quickly, moving forward, but due to the structure of the body they cannot move backward. Their limb shape does not allow this, and their tail gets in the way.

Habitat

1. All people know kangaroos as the jumping inhabitants of Australia, and this is partly true. However, the presented individuals also live in other territories, for example, in New Guinea, Tasmania and Bismarck. These representatives of the family were also brought to New Zealand.
2. Very often animals can be found near human dwellings. Such marsupials are found on the outskirts of large cities and medium-sized settlements. They also prefer to live near farmers' farmland.
3. Based on the observations made, we can conclude that these animals are characterized by a terrestrial lifestyle. They live in flat areas, near bushes and among thickets of thorny grass. Tree kangaroos are great at climbing trees, while mountain animals thrive among rocks, stones and hills.

Population

1. The main species of marsupials are not at risk of extinction. However, for certain reasons, the number of goals is decreasing every year. This is due to the emergence forest fires, a decrease in the natural habitat of kangaroos, as well as hunting and other human activity. As always, it is people who pose the main danger to living beings.
2. In Australia, it is prohibited by law to endanger kangaroos. The gray inhabitants of the western and eastern parts are considered protected. Wild animals are constantly exposed to shelling as a result of hunting.
3. While protecting pastures, farmers mutilate these animals. Poachers shoot for the meat, which is considered a delicacy, as well as for the skin, which is subsequently used for the production of leather goods. The meat is distinguished by its low calorie content and taste.
4. Generally speaking, the presented individuals are not in danger. But they have enemies in their natural habitat. The animals are hunted by snakes, large birds, dingoes, and foxes. To avoid encountering enemies, these individuals prefer to eat once a day in the evening, as soon as the sun sets.

Nutrition

1. To a greater extent, kangaroos prefer to eat grass, so they are considered herbivores. However, among all the diversity of animals, there are varieties that are distinguished by their omnivorous nature. The largest red individuals lean on the prickly and tough grass. Individuals with a short snout feast on roots, tubers, bulbs and other underground parts of plants.
2. Certain species of animals eat mushrooms and are directly involved in sowing their spore powder. Small wallabies are content with grass leaves, seeds, and small fruits. If individuals live in forest areas with moderate humidity, they feed on fruits, foliage, and plants. Arboreal individuals eat bird eggs and the chicks themselves, and gnaw the bark from the tree trunk.
3. The diet may also include clover, alfalfa, eucalyptus leaves, acacia, cereals, other vegetation. Kangaroos consume cicadas and ferns. Small members of the family are more selective when it comes to food preferences. They go in search of food supply High Quality, often such food takes a long time to digest.
4. Animals large format They can easily eat low-quality food, but compensate for this with a variety of vegetation. They go to pastures in the late afternoon, but it all depends on the weather conditions in the area where they live. If it's hot outside, then kangaroos will wait until the sun goes down, resting in the shade. Then in the late afternoon they go looking for food.
5. A distinctive characteristic of these animals is their undemanding nature in terms of water consumption. Individuals may not touch water for several months, in some cases even longer. The liquid is obtained from plant foods, and dew is also licked from grass and rocks. Some clever members of the species tear off the bark, then content themselves with the sap flowing from the tree.
6. Living in arid areas, large kangaroos have adapted to search for water on their own. They begin to dig wells to a depth of 100 cm or more. Subsequently, these watering places are used by birds, martens, and pigeons. wild type and other animals. The stomach of individuals can digest hard food; it is huge, but does not have many chambers. Some individuals of this family induce vomiting to get rid of food debris in the stomach. They then chew it again for better absorption.
7. IN digestive system There are more than 40 species of bacteria. They are responsible for the correct functioning and digestion of dietary fiber. Yeast bacteria are also present and serve to create fermentation. If we talk about the diet of animals living in the zoo, they eat herbs, oats, nuts, seeds, crackers, vegetables and fruits, etc.

Lifestyle

1. If you really want to learn more about the animals in question, your best bet is to head to Australia and visit a national park. In such a place, individuals behave exactly the same as in the wild. Kangaroos are animals that lead a herd lifestyle.
2. Most often they gather in small groups, which can number up to 25 individuals. However, mountain wallabies and rat kangaroos prefer to lead a solitary lifestyle. They never create groups. There are also small representatives of this species. They lead predominantly night look life.
3. Large individuals, on the contrary, can be active both during the day and in the evening. The animals in question graze in the moonlight when the heat subsides. The interesting thing is that the kangaroo herd has no leader. They are all equal to each other. Such animals do not have a leader because they are primitive due to their underdeveloped brain.
4. However, the individuals in question have a fairly well developed instinct of self-preservation. It is enough for just one kangaroo to give an alarm signal, and the whole group will immediately rush in different directions. The animal makes a voice that is somewhat reminiscent of a cough. In addition, kangaroos have excellent hearing. Therefore, they can hear the alarm signal at a sufficient distance.
5. It is worth noting that these animals are not accustomed to living in shelters. Only rat kangaroos live in burrows. Concerning natural enemies, then such individuals have a lot of them. Initially, there were no European predators in Australia; later they were brought by people. Therefore, dingoes and marsupial wolves constantly hunted kangaroos. Small kangaroos were attacked by martens, birds of prey and even snakes.
6. As for large individuals, such kangaroos can easily fend for themselves. However, small representatives of the same species are practically helpless. Individuals are not daredevils; on the contrary, they always try to escape from danger. If the predator nevertheless overtakes its prey, the kangaroo tries to defend itself very fiercely.
7. It is quite interesting to watch how the animal defends itself. The kangaroo delivers a series of powerful blows with its hind legs, while the individual rests on its tail. The kangaroo also tries to grab the offender with its front paws. Many people know that a blow from an adult can easily kill a dog. A person can easily end up in the hospital with broken bones.
8. Local residents claim that when a kangaroo escapes from an enemy, it lures the predator into the water. As a result, the animal drowns the offender. Dingo dogs have suffered in this way more than once. Among other things, kangaroos try to stay away from people. Therefore, it is impossible to see settlements of these animals nearby.
9. However, such individuals are often found near farms and on the outskirts of small towns. Kangaroos are not pets, but the presence of people does not frighten them. Individuals quickly get used to the fact that people often feed them. However, they do not allow themselves to be petted.

Reproduction

1. Such animals reach sexual maturity at approximately 2 years. Life expectancy on average is about 18 years. In some cases, some individuals even lived up to 30 years. IN mating season males fight very hard for the female's attention. This often ends in severe injuries.
2. After mating, the female most often gives birth to only 1 cub. Before the baby is born, the mother begins to carefully lick her pouch. It is in it that the baby will continue to develop in the future. Pregnancy lasts only about 1.5 months.
3. As a result, a completely blind baby is born without hair. The baby then develops in the mother's pouch for about 11 months. Moreover, the young almost immediately attach themselves to one of the nipples and do not come off it for about 2 months. During this time, the cub continues to grow, develop and acquire fur.
4. Sometimes the baby already begins to crawl out of the bag, but at the slightest rustle he immediately returns back. Already at the age of 8-10 months, the cub can leave the pouch for a long time, sometimes the mother begins to prepare for the next mating season.

Kangaroos can be considered unique animals. The development of babies occurs in a special pouch in the mother. This pocket protects the young animals from various types of danger and unpredictable weather conditions. The female can prepare for the mating season only after she is sure that her cub is ready for independent life. Kangaroos are a symbol of Australia, but this does not mean that such individuals will welcome any contact with humans.

Video: Kangaroo (Macropus)

Kangaroo (Macropus sp.) belongs to the phylum vertebrates, class mammals, subclass marsupials, order two-incisor.
By name systematic group we can often judge the structural features of its representatives. Pinnipeds have legs that actually resemble flippers. And in most artiodactyls, the hooves actually consist of two halves. If you follow this logic, it turns out that representatives of the marsupial order should have a bag. But firstly, only females have the so-called brood pouch. Secondly, there are species that lack a bag, but are nevertheless considered marsupials. And finally, thirdly, there are species that have a brood pouch, but have nothing to do with marsupials! It’s incredible, but it’s true. It is not for nothing that scientists consider marsupials one of the most paradoxical groups.
Marsupials give birth to live babies, but they are very tiny and absolutely helpless, more like worms. What prevents these animals from carrying their offspring within themselves to comparative maturity? The answer to this question was found not so long ago. It turned out that the embryo in the uterus of the marsupial is almost not connected with the mother, and after some time its supply is depleted. nutrients. At that stage of evolution, nature had not yet “figured out” how to provide the embryo with additional nutrition inside the mother. In addition, marsupials are simply unable to give birth to large babies. The birth canal, along which the baby moves when born, is intertwined with the channel for urine output. Only a very small fetus can pass through there.

That is why a bag was needed - an incubator with a built-in feeder and heating. Milk in marsupials is already “real” and flows from the nipples located in the pouch. The baby holds the nipple tightly in his mouth, and the mother regulates the amount of food entering there.
Today, the marsupial order includes about 250 species, 180 of which live in Australia and the surrounding islands. The remaining 170 species can be found in Southern, Central and North America.
In fact, the kangaroo family includes over 60 different species, with a wide variety of habitats and, accordingly, a different way of life. The subfamily of true kangaroos includes animals of medium and large size - wallabies, kangaroos and wallaroos.
But everyone has common features. All kangaroos have very long and strong hind legs, a long powerful tail that is used to maintain balance when jumping, and a pouch on their belly.
The symbol of Australia, the large red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) is the largest of the marsupials. Body length up to 1.65 m; tail - up to 1.05 m; The male weighs up to 85 kg, the female - up to 35 kg and easily jumps 8-10 meters in length!
Small subspecies of kangaroos are commonly called wallabies. Rat kangaroos grow up to 50 cm in length. These animals with long bare tails appearance strongly resemble a rat. They live in clear areas such as savannas.
The gray, or forest, kangaroo, standing on its hind legs, can reach 1.7 m. Gray kangaroos can move at speeds of up to 65 km/h, fleeing from hunters or cars. "The big gray", despite its impressive size, is a creature Quite peaceful and trusting.
The wallaroo, or mountain kangaroo (M.robustus), is noticeably different from other large kangaroos with shorter and squat hind legs, powerful shoulders, a more massive build and a hairless nasal area. Wallaroo live in inaccessible, rocky areas of the mountains. Rough, tenacious soles of their paws enable them to avoid slipping even on smooth stones. They feed on grass, leaves and roots, are able to go without water for a long time, and to quench their thirst, they often tear off the bark from young trees and lick the juice.
The only tree-dwelling members of the kangaroo family are the tree kangaroos found in North-East Queensland and New Guinea. These are animals reaching a length of about 60 cm, with brownish fur, and are hardly noticeable in the foliage of trees. New Guinea forest or bush kangaroos are adjacent to tree kangaroos. Thick fur protects them from endless rains, and strong claws make it easy to climb branches in search of young, tasty leaves. After all, these cunning people meticulously choose only the freshest and most tender!
For the most part, kangaroos live on the open plains of central Australia. Kangaroos are preferred plant foods: leaves, grass, berries, cereals, as well as roots and rhizomes of plants, which they dig out of the ground with their front paws. In the treeless expanses of Australia, kangaroos play a role similar to that played by herds of herbivorous ungulates in Africa.

In search of water and food, these animals are able to travel vast distances. They move in huge leaps, pushing off the ground with their strong hind legs. At the same time, the tail helps them maintain balance. Kangaroos are considered the most the best jumpers in the world, they can move at high speed for several hours. Their jumps reach 3 m in height and 9-12 m in length. It is almost impossible to catch up with such a jumper. Therefore, kangaroos most often flee from danger.
One day, a red kangaroo, fleeing from pursuing farmers, jumped over a 3 m high fence. In 1974, a fisherman, sailing on a boat about 2 km from the coast near Melbourne, caught a gray kangaroo from the water. He was probably trying to swim to the nearest island.
Large red kangaroos are content with dry, hard and often prickly grass (for example, triodia). Every day, an adult animal eats a portion of lamb pasture. Well adapted to drought, these animals can go without water for several days and get to it themselves when thirsty. To do this, they dig a well with their paws about a meter deep. During the daytime, the air temperature in their habitats can exceed 30 degrees Celsius, so the front paws of kangaroos are hairless, and the animals lick them to cool themselves.
Kangaroos live in small groups, led by adult males. They protect their females from males from other groups. Fierce fights often occur between them.
During the season of love, males fight endless duels over females. Leaning on their tails, they stand on their hind legs and, like wrestlers, clasp each other with their front legs. To win, you need to knock your opponent to the ground and beat him with his hind legs. Sometimes it ends in serious injuries, especially since the legs have razor-sharp claws.
Kangaroos live approximately 15 years in the wild and up to 25 years in captivity. Age of puberty: between 18 months and 2 years. Mating takes place throughout the year. The duration of pregnancy is 33 days, and then the baby develops from 6 to 11 months in a pouch on the mother’s belly.
The pouch on the belly of a kangaroo is a fold of skin that is intended for the development of the baby in it. Most often, a kangaroo gives birth to one baby, less often twins, and only the musky kangaroo rat gives birth to several babies. Biologists have observed what happens when a large red kangaroo is born. Before his birth, the female licks her pouch, making it clean.
A baby kangaroo is born naked, blind, helpless and very small. The dimensions of a premature baby are no more than 1 g in weight and 2 cm in length! However, this little guy immediately grabs the fur on his mother’s belly and crawls into the pouch himself. Here he greedily grabs one of the four nipples with his mouth and literally sticks to it for the next two-plus months. Gradually the cub grows, develops, opens its eyes, and becomes covered with fur. Then he begins to make short forays out of the bag, immediately jumping back at the slightest rustle.
The baby kangaroo leaves its mother's pouch at the age of 8 months. And immediately the mother gives birth to the next baby, which makes its way into the bag - to the other nipple. It is surprising that from this moment the female produces two types of milk: fatter for feeding the elder and less fat for the newborn.
With its forelimbs, kangaroos grab food and bring it to their mouth, combing their fur. The hind ones, which are much longer, help them defend themselves with powerful blows, which they distribute right and left in the fight against their own kind and other animals.
The tail is also used when running - it replaces the kangaroo's steering wheel, helping to change direction, and when the kangaroo defends itself, the tail serves as a reliable support.
In nature, kangaroos have very few enemies. These include dingoes, foxes and birds of prey. Kangaroos do not always flee from them; sometimes they can defend themselves. Powerful paws help the kangaroo in this. The animal, leaning on its tail, raises its hind legs and strikes the enemy with strong blows. With its sharp claws, the animal can even inflict mortal wounds on the enemy.
He also has another technique against the dingo: he pushes it into the river and, leaning on top, tries to drown it. But main enemy The kangaroo, like all other animals in the world, is human. Cattle breeders (alas, not without reason) blame kangaroos for grassing pastures and shoot them, and also scatter poisonous baits. Official hunting to regulate numbers provides meat for animal feed and leather for clothing and shoes. Rare species of kangaroos are protected by law, but these measures are not enough: quite recently, for example, the broad-faced rat kangaroo disappeared from the face of the earth. The large gray kangaroo is also in a deplorable situation.

Kangaroo is a unique animal. This is the only large mammal that moves with huge leaps, relying on powerful hind legs and a long tail. Their front legs are small and weak, similar in appearance to human hands. This unusual animal is predominantly nocturnal, and during the day it hides in the grass, while taking funny poses. Lovers of nature and unusual animals will be interested to know where kangaroos live, how they reproduce and what they eat.

Variety of species

There are 69 species of kangaroos, which are divided into three main groups: small, medium and giant. The largest marsupial animal is the red kangaroo: its height at the withers is 1-1.6 meters, and the tallest males sometimes reach 2 meters. The tail length adds another 90-110 cm, and the weight ranges from 50 to 90 kg. These animals move in huge leaps up to 10 meters long, reaching speeds of up to 50-60 km/h. The smallest representative of this family is the musk kangaroo. His height is only 15-20 cm, and his weight is 340 grams.

The most common species is the red steppe kangaroo. In terms of size, it belongs to the medium group and is distributed almost throughout the entire Australian continent, excluding the region tropical forests. The friendliest and most trusting species is the giant gray kangaroo, and the most aggressive is the mountain wallaroo. This animal can show unreasonable aggression and get into fights even when nothing threatens it. At the same time, wallaroos prefer to scratch and bite, but never use their powerful hind legs, like most of their relatives.

Habitats

Countries where kangaroos live are Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea, as well as New Zealand. Many species of these animals prefer to live on the plains among dense, tall grass and rare shrubs. Kangaroos are mainly nocturnal, so this habitat allows them to safely hide during the day. The animals make large nests out of grass, and some species dig shallow burrows. Mountain species live in inaccessible rocky gorges. These small animals have perfectly adapted to their environment: their paws have become tough and rough to move safely on slippery stones. Tree kangaroos live in trees; they crawl freely and jump from branch to branch, but come down to the ground for food.

Kangaroos are herbivores. Like cows, they chew grass, swallow and regurgitate it to make it digestible. Eating can occur at different times of the day and depends on temperature environment. During hot periods, kangaroos can lie in the shade all day and go out to eat at night. One of the most amazing features is that kangaroos can go for months without water. On dry days, they feed on grass and tree bark, thus saturating their body with moisture.

Features of reproduction

Kangaroo breeding in wildlife happens once a year. The size of a newborn cub is only 1-2 centimeters, it is born completely helpless, blind and bald, so immediately after birth it crawls into a pouch on its mother’s stomach and attaches itself to the nipple for the next 34 weeks. If the baby does not reach the pouch and falls to the ground, the mother is forced to leave him: the baby is so small that the female will simply crush him if she tries to pick him up.

Inside, the surface of the bag is smooth, but in front of the “entrance” it is covered with thick, thick wool to protect the baby from cold and dangers. With the help of powerful muscles, the female is able to close the pouch so tightly that she can even swim, while the cub remains completely dry.

Just a few days after the baby is born, the animal is ready to mate again. Having become pregnant, the female can stop the development of the embryo for several months while the already born baby grows up. When the baby kangaroo is strong enough to leave the mother’s pouch, the female again “starts” the development of pregnancy and after a few weeks a new baby is born.

Enemies of kangaroos

Where kangaroos live, natural enemies are almost completely absent. In rare cases, small individuals may be attacked by foxes or dingoes. Also sometimes there are attacks from such large birds like a wedge-tailed eagle. The only serious opponent of kangaroo animals in Australia is marsupial wolf, but these predators were exterminated by hunters, and at the moment there is not a single individual left on the planet. Oddly enough, sand flies pose the greatest danger. These pesky insects get into the kangaroo's eyes, which in most cases leads to blindness.

Kangaroos live in flocks of 10-15 individuals. As a rule, the largest and strongest male is dominant.

Kangaroo meat is very nutritious and contains almost no fat, which is why it is very popular among consumers. Kangaroo meat dishes are served even in the most expensive and luxurious top-class restaurants.

These animals do not know how to move backwards; they walk and jump only forward. Residents of Australia, the country where kangaroos live, decided to depict them on their coat of arms, demonstrating that the country is also moving forward.

Female kangaroos can care for two babies at the same time of different ages. The youngest child lives in a bag, and the older one only comes to eat milk. For this purpose, the mother has 4 nipples with different types milk: higher in fat for a newborn, and higher in carbohydrates for an older child.

Several kangaroos escaped from zoos in the United States, France and Ireland, and then managed to have offspring in the wild.

Kangaroos are unique and funny. Although most species are poorly domesticated, many zoos around the world are home to small flocks of these interesting animals, so nature lovers have the opportunity to admire them in person.

Everyone knows kangaroos very well. This word was originally used by the Queensland Aborigines to refer to one of the small species of the family - Wallabia canguru. The word is now applied broadly to all members of the family Macropodidae, from small kangaroo rats to large kangaroos.

The kangaroo family includes herbivores adapted to locomotion. The front legs are underdeveloped; on the contrary, the hind limbs and tail are very developed. Animals usually stand “standing”, leaning like a tripod on their hind legs and tail.

The smallest of the kangaroos - kangaroo rats - reach a length, including the length of the tail, of 45 cm, the largest kangaroos - almost 3 m. By size, 3 groups can be distinguished in the family: kangaroo rats(small size) wallaby(medium size) and large kangaroos. Systematically, the kangaroo family is divided into 3 subfamilies, very uneven in the number of genera and species: the most archaic subfamily musk kangaroo rats(Hypsiprymnodontipae), which currently has only one representative; subfamily real kangaroo rats(Potoroinae); all other kangaroos - medium and large in size - belong to the subfamily Macropodinae.

The subfamily of musky kangaroo rats (Hypsiprymnodontinae) includes the only species - musk kangaroo rat(Hypsiprymnodon moschatus), living in the dense bushland of North-East Queensland.

Based on some structural features, it can be considered an intermediate form between possums and kangaroos. She has a very special thumb hind legs: it is mobile, lacks a claw, but is not opposed to other fingers, like in possums. The animal has a very strange tail, almost completely devoid of hair and covered with special skin scales, reminiscent of the tails of American opossums and partly the tail of a cuscus. However, it jumps like all real kangaroos. This strange animal was discovered in 1874 by Ramsay. The color of the kangaroo rat is bright brown, body length is about 30 cm, tail length is 15 cm.

True kangaroo rats (subfamily Potoroinae) include the smallest representatives of the family. They are descended from the archaic musk kangaroo rat, but their tails are completely hairy and their paws resemble those of other, more highly organized kangaroos. They differ from other kangaroos in their highly developed canines, elongated, grooved premolars, and in the fact that the row of molars does not increase in size posteriorly, as is usually the case, but decreases. There are 4 genera and 9 species of kangaroo rats.

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The most primitive and close to the previous subfamily are the genera Bettongia and Aepyprymnus, the genera Caloprymnus and Potorous are more highly organized. Kangaroo rats are fast and nervous animals. Males are very warlike. Usually animals make comfortable nests out of grass where they rest during the day. One of the species, Bettongia lesueur, gets along well with rabbits, often settling in the burrows they occupy.

Also in late XVIII V. Kangaroo rats were distributed throughout almost all of Australia, except in the far north and northeast. Now their numbers have sharply decreased: most of them have been exterminated by foxes and dogs. Two types of kangaroo rats - Gaimardova(Bettongia gaimardi) and broad-faced(Potorous platyops) - have completely disappeared, and the rest are on the verge of complete destruction.

The subfamily of true kangaroos (Macropodinae) includes animals of medium and large size - wallabies, kangaroos and wallaroos. It, in turn, can be divided into a number of groups, similar in structure and way of life.

The wallaby-hares group (Lagostrophus and Lagorchestes families) includes 5 species of animals. They differ from kangaroo rats in having smaller fangs and larger ears. They received their name for their behavior and method of movement more than for their external resemblance to hares. Wallaby hares live alone. They are infertile and have only one young, which they carefully guard. These are shy animals that usually live in thickets of thorny bushes. About 200 years ago they were widespread. Now their numbers have been greatly reduced, and they, too, are in danger of being completely destroyed. Striped wallaby hare(Lagostrophus fasciatus), discovered by V. Dampierro in 1699, has a back streaked with transverse dark stripes.

The remaining wallaby hares belong to the genus Lagorchestes and have a uniform color.

Tree kangaroos(genus Dendrolagus) live in North-East Queensland and New Guinea. These are the only members of the family that live in trees. It would be more correct to call them tree wallabies, since they are close to ordinary wallabies.

Two species of tree kangaroos are common in Australia, and about a dozen species are common in New Guinea. These are animals reaching a length of about 60 cm, with brownish fur, and are hardly noticeable in the foliage of trees. They jump on the ground like ordinary kangaroos. At the same time, their shorter hind legs and claws allow them to climb trees well. They can jump from heights of 10, 15 and even 18 m. During the day they sleep in trees, and in the evening they go down to drink and feed. They are predominantly herbivorous, although sometimes they do not refuse animal food. They eat leaves and vines; their favorite food is ferns, wild berries and fruits.

Movable like monkeys rock or stone wallabies(genus Petrogale and Peradorcas) live among the high rocky mountains. They move over the rocks at such speed that it is almost impossible to catch up with them. Both the aborigines and even dingoes hunt them extremely rarely. Only foxes destroy them in large numbers. Rock wallabies are herbivores, so they come down from the mountains to valleys and meadows to feed. They are active mainly at night. If necessary, they can go without water for a long time. Most known species this group - brush-tailed rock wallaby(Petrogale penicillata), an animal with a pubescent tail. It is well known to tourists who visit the famous Jenolan Caves in New South Wales. In a small reserve that was created especially for them near the entrance to one of the caves, semi-tamed rock wallabies have changed their habits: they often show up during the day and do not avoid human society.

Claw-tailed wallabies(genus Onychogalea) have a keratinized formation at the tip of the tail, resembling a claw or spur. Its purpose is not entirely clear. This group includes 3 species.

Bush wallabies, or pademelons(genus Thylogale and Setonix). Strange name"pademelon", most commonly used in Australia, is a corruption of the native word "pad-dimalla", which refers to small wallabies with especially tasty meat. The first marsupials discovered by the Dutch in the 17th century belonged to this group of marsupials. Bush wallabies live in thickets of bushes or dense undergrowth. Like all kangaroos, they only give birth to one young. Behind Lately their number dropped sharply. Ladies, or tamnars(Thylogale eugenii), found only in a few nature reserves. These are herd animals that, in case of danger, warn their fellows by striking the ground with their hind legs.

quokka(Setonix brachyurus), which has become rare on the Australian mainland, remains numerous on Rottnest Island, where it was once discovered by the Dutchman Wolkersen. In this reserve, with an area of ​​9 square meters. miles, the quokka is protected and inaccessible to foxes that exterminate it in other places; The animals here have multiplied so much that they no longer have enough pasture. To eliminate the overpopulation of quokkas, they are sent to zoological gardens, since those that were tried to be released back to the continent were immediately destroyed by foxes, snakes and feral cats. In quokka breeding there is interesting feature. After mating, she gives birth to one cub; however, if the baby dies, then another, previously “dormant” embryo develops, and a second young quokka will be born the following month, without another mating.

Pademelon(Thylogale thetis), the meat of which the early colonists of Sydney ate, was once numerous; now it is extremely rare.

Typical wallabies, or average kangaroos(genus Wallabia), - larger animals that do not live in dense thickets scrub, and in brighter areas

savannah type. There are 8 types in total. They differ from large kangaroos only in their smaller size. Common inhabitants of zoological gardens, familiar to many readers, are wallabies.

Wallabies live in small herds and feed on grass. The kangaroo, once discovered by Cook in Queensland, also belonged to this genus (Wallabia canguru). Another species, Wallabia elegans, lives in southern Queensland and New South Wales. Unfortunately, it is mercilessly exterminated for the sake of its skin and sport hunting.

Large kangaroos(genera Macropus and Megaleia) are the rulers of the Australian savannah. These mighty athletes are one of the official symbols of Australia: their image was chosen along with the image of the emu for the coat of arms of the Australian Federation.

Males of large kangaroos are larger than females; the length of their body, including the length of the tail, can reach almost 3 m, their weight exceeds 80 kg. The front legs are weaker than the hind legs, but are still developed enough for the animals to be able to stand on all fours while grazing or when defending themselves from enemies. Kangaroos are not aggressive, but if forced to defend themselves, they can be dangerous. Their main weapons are their hind limbs, long and narrow, with strong claws and steel muscles. Has a long and thick tail special structure: its lower part, which serves as a fulcrum, has flattened processes of the vertebrae and highly developed adipose tissue. For native hunters, the kangaroo's tail is the most delicious piece; the rest of the meat is tough.

The kangaroo biotope is a sparse forest, savanna or wild bush. They are found both on the plain and in the mountains. While grazing, kangaroos move forward in small jumps, about 1.5 m each. When they need to escape, kangaroos make fantastic leaps. This is one of the most spectacular sights that can be found in nature. Lacking the airy ease, the kangaroo's leap has incredible, confident power. The push is made with the hind legs, and the tail, supported horizontally, serves as a counterweight.

With successive jumps from 6 to 9 m (and under exceptional circumstances - up to 12 m), the kangaroo reaches a speed of 40 km/h, and at some moments - up to 50 km/h. At such speeds, it was difficult for hunters to pursue kangaroos, until they finally invented hunting from cars and all-terrain vehicles. True, kangaroos cannot run at high speed for long and soon fall from exhaustion.

Large kangaroos do not have a strictly limited breeding season; Mostly young are born in winter. In the largest species - the large gray kangaroo - pregnancy lasts 38-40 days, the length of the newborn is about 25 mm. This is the smallest newborn of all known mammals (relative to the size of an adult animal). Usually one baby is born, but, as an exception, twins (in the great gray kangaroo) and even triplets (in the great red kangaroo) are found. The lifespan of a kangaroo exceeds 10 and probably reaches 15 years.

The most terrible of the kangaroo's natural enemies, the so-called sand flies, are small insects that appear en masse after rain and accumulate near water bodies. These insects attack kangaroos going to watering holes, get into their eyes and sting, so that kangaroos often go blind after their attack. Young kangaroos often become prey for dingoes, foxes and birds of prey. But the most terrible enemy of the kangaroo is the person who hunts them for their skin, meat, or to protect their fields and pastures. The natives used dingoes to hunt kangaroos, and the white colonists used packs of dogs.

These powerful animals have a calm character, but difficult situations they can defend themselves decisively by delivering powerful kicks. Boxer kangaroos are often talked about. One of the best kicks of a kangaroo boxer is to lean on the tail and simultaneously deliver a powerful blow to the opponent with both hind legs. With its claws, a kangaroo can easily rip open the belly of a dog or even a person. Pursued by dogs, a kangaroo can escape in the water. There are known cases when kangaroos grabbed dogs in the water, floating, and tried to drown them. A kangaroo can also use another method of self-defense: rushing at the enemy, grabbing it with its front paws and pressing it to itself, trying to strangle it. About 10 years ago, a young Australian doctor, driving a car at night, accidentally crushed big kangaroo; so that the animal would not suffer, he wanted to give it an injection, but the wounded animal suddenly stood up, pressed him to itself, and with great difficulty the doctor escaped alive from his clutches. Thus, the peace-loving kangaroo knows how to defend itself. Many hunters are wounded by it, sometimes fatally. However, these large animals are easy to tame, especially the large gray kangaroo.

There are 12 known species of large kangaroos. They belong to three genera: Macropus - with a completely pubescent snout; Megaieia, which has a small bare space between the nostrils, and Osphranter, whose nose is widely exposed, like a dog's nose.

Great gray or forest kangaroo(Macropus major), is the largest of the existing marsupials. The Great Grey, as the Australians call it, is found throughout eastern Australia.

It lives in various wooded areas; hence its second name - forest kangaroo. Its usual habitat is eucalyptus savanna. It feeds on grass, leaves, and young roots. In the 19th century this animal was common everywhere. He was even accused of interfering with sheep grazing by occupying the best pastures. Under this pretext, its extermination began in 1871. It is also destroyed for its skin and, more recently, meat. As a result, this species of kangaroo, although still considered quite common, is in complete decline. The decline in its numbers is currently due to many reasons. He is not very fertile. Its food supply has been undermined: it is adapted to feeding on good meadows and cannot exist normally in more arid and barren areas. Therefore, with the agricultural development of the territory, the area suitable for its habitat is increasingly reduced. Finally, its character, more peaceful and trusting than that of the red kangaroo or wallaroo, more often makes it the prey of hunters.

Big red kangaroo(Megaleia rufa), almost equal in size to the gray, is a magnificent animal, just as strong, but more graceful and proportional.

The great red kangaroo is found more widely throughout Australia than any other species of kangaroo. It is especially abundant on the vast inland plains, where it lives in small herds of 10-12 animals each. In some places it is numerous and harms livestock breeding; It was against him that the decree on a special open hunting season was directed. Car hunts are organized mainly for its extermination. Reckless, immoderate hunting can quickly destroy this magnificent animal, despite its apparent abundance.

In captivity, the red kangaroo becomes quite friendly. According to E. Trafton, its “familiarity” can become intrusive and even downright dangerous, although the males of this species have a more pleasant character than the old wallaroos. In terms of boxing, it is the red kangaroo that holds the championship.

Wallaroos, or mountain kangaroos(genus Osphranter), are easily distinguished from other large kangaroos by their shorter and squat hind legs, powerful shoulders, more massive build and hairless nasal area. They are somewhat smaller than other large kangaroos; the weight of some of them reaches 77 kg. Wallaroos were not known to science until 1832. The word "wallaroo" is a modification of the word "wolaru" - the name under which the Aborigines of New South Wales unite large kangaroos in general.

Wallaroo live in inaccessible, rocky areas of the mountains. They are similar to rock wallabies not only in their biotope, but also in some structural features.

Rough, tenacious soles of their paws enable them to avoid slipping even on smooth stones. Wallaroos feed on grass, leaves, and roots. They can go for a long time without water. To quench their thirst, they often strip the bark from young trees and lick the juice.

Wallaroos are not herd animals. Old, lonely males are pugnacious; if attacked, they bite and scratch, causing dangerous wounds. They kill dogs who are completely unable to pursue them among the rocks. The low availability of the biotope has saved them from destruction, although they are quite rare. Wallaroos are cunning, persistent, and difficult to catch; in captivity they are stubborn and difficult to tame.

The number of existing wallaroo species is not yet fully determined. E. Trafton notes 6 species of these animals. The most famous is the common wallaroo (Ospranter robustus), with a coarse coat of brownish-black color, living in the coastal mountains of Southern Queensland and New South Wales.

Animal life: in 6 volumes. - M.: Enlightenment. Edited by professors N.A. Gladkov, A.V. Mikheev. 1970 .

Most Famous marsupial of Australia– of course, a kangaroo. This animal is the official symbol of the Green Continent. Its image is everywhere: on the national flag, coins, commercial products... In their homeland, kangaroos can be found nearby settlements, in farmland and even on the outskirts of cities.

In total, there are more than 60 species of kangaroos - from dwarf ones, no larger than a hare, to giant ones, whose height reaches up to two meters. Photos and names of the most famous representatives of the kangaroo family (Macropodidae) are presented below.

Tree kangaroos
Claw-tailed kangaroos
Bush kangaroos
Striped kangaroo
Red kangaroo
Wallaby
Philanders
Potoroo

Kangaroos live throughout Australia, New Guinea and the islands.

In addition to Australia, potoroo (10 species) are also found in Tasmania. They inhabit rain forests, wet hard-leaved forests and bush thickets.

Bush and forest kangaroos inhabit New Guinea. Also, 8 out of 10 tree species live in New Guinea alone.

Philanders are found in eastern Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania. They are associated with moist, dense forests, including eucalyptus.

Claw-tailed species inhabit desert and semi-desert areas, their range is limited to Australia.

The red kangaroo and other representatives of the genus Macropus (gray kangaroo, common wallaroo, agile wallaby, etc.) are found from deserts to the edges of moist eucalyptus forests of Australia.

Feral populations of these animals exist in some countries and outside Australia. For example, the brush-tailed rock wallaby found a home in Hawaii, the red-gray wallaby in England and Germany, and the white-breasted wallaby in New Zealand.

Musk kangaroo rats are usually classified into the family Hypsiprymnodontidae. Their distribution is limited to the rainforests of eastern Cape York Island.

What does a kangaroo look like? Description of the animal

The kangaroo has a long massive tail, a thin neck, and narrow shoulders. The hind limbs are very well developed. Long, muscular thighs highlight a narrow pelvis. On the even longer bones of the lower leg, the muscles are not as strongly developed, and the ankles are designed in such a way that they prevent the foot from turning to the side. When an animal rests or moves slowly, its weight is distributed over its long, narrow feet, creating a plantigrade effect. However, when this marsupial jumps, it rests only on 2 toes - the fourth and fifth, while the second and third toes have been reduced and turned into one process with two claws - they are used for cleaning wool. The first finger is completely lost.

The forelimbs of a kangaroo, unlike the hind limbs, are very small, mobile and somewhat reminiscent of human hands. The hand is short and wide, with five identical fingers. Animals can grab food particles with their front paws and manipulate them. In addition, they use them to open the bag and also comb the fur. Large species also use their forelimbs for thermoregulation: they lick the inside of them, while saliva, evaporating, cools the blood in the network of superficial vessels of the skin.

Kangaroos are covered with thick hair 2-3 cm long. The color varies from light gray through many shades of sandy brown to dark brown and even black. Many species have diffuse light or dark stripes on the lower back, around the upper thighs, in the shoulder area, or between the eyes. The tail and limbs are often darker in color than the body, while the belly is usually light.

Males are often brighter colored than females. For example, male red kangaroos are sandy-red in color, while females are blue-gray or sandy-gray.

The body length of these marsupials is from 28 cm (for the musk kangaroo) to 180 cm (for the red kangaroo); tail length from 14 to 110 cm; body weight – from 0.5 to 100 kg in the same species.

Jumping record holders

Kangaroos are the largest mammals that move by hopping on their hind legs. They can jump very far and quickly. The usual jump length is 2-3 meters in height and 9-10 meters in length! They can reach speeds of up to 65 km/h.

However, jumping is not the only way their movements. They can also walk on all fours, with their legs moving together and not alternately. In medium and large kangaroos, when the hind limbs are raised and carried forward, the animal relies on its tail and forelimbs. U large species the tail is long and thick, it serves as a support when the animal sits.

Lifestyle

Some of the largest species of these animals form groups of 50 or more individuals, and they can repeatedly leave the group and rejoin it. Males move from one group to another more often than females; They also use large areas of habitat.

Large social species live in open areas. They used to be attacked by land and air predators such as dingoes, wedge-tailed eagle and marsupial wolf (which is now extinct). Living in a group gives marsupials undeniable advantages. For example, dingoes are unlikely to approach a large herd, and kangaroos may spend more time feeding. The size of groups depends on population density, habitat type and other factors.

However, most small species are solitary animals. Only occasionally can you meet 2-3 individuals in one company.

As a rule, kangaroos do not have homes, with the exception of musk kangaroo rats. Some species, such as brushtails, make shelters in burrows that they dig themselves. Rock kangaroos take refuge during the day in crevices or piles of stones, forming colonies.

Kangaroos are usually most active during twilight and night hours. During the day, in the heat, they prefer to rest somewhere in a shady place.

Diet

The basis of the kangaroo's diet is plant food, including grass, leaves, fruits, seeds, bulbs, mushrooms and rhizomes. Some small species, particularly potoroos, often supplement their plant diet with invertebrates and beetle larvae.

Short-faced kangaroos prefer underground parts of plants - roots, rhizomes, tubers and bulbs. This is one of the species that eats mushrooms and spreads spores.

Small wallabies feed mainly on grass.

In wooded habitats, the kangaroo's diet includes more fruit. In general, many types of plants are eaten: marsupials eat various parts of them depending on the season.

Wallaroos, red and gray kangaroos prefer the leaves of herbaceous plants, also not missing the seeds of cereals and other monocots. Interestingly, large species can feed only on grass.

Most selective in their food preferences small species. They seek out high-quality foods, many of which require careful digestion.

Continuation of the family. Life of a baby kangaroo in a bag

In some species of kangaroos, the mating season is confined to a specific season, while others can reproduce all year round. Pregnancy lasts 30-39 days.

Females of large species begin to bear offspring at the age of 2-3 years and remain reproductively active until 8-12 years. Some rat kangaroos are ready to breed as early as 10-11 months of age. Males reach sexual maturity a little later than females, but in large species, older individuals do not allow them to participate in reproduction.

At birth, the calf is only 15-25 mm long. It is not even fully formed and looks like a fetus with underdeveloped eyes, vestigial hind limbs and a tail. But as soon as the umbilical cord breaks, the baby, without the help of its mother, on its forelimbs makes its way through her fur to the hole in the pouch on her belly. There it attaches to one of the nipples and develops within 150-320 days (depending on the species).

The bag provides the newborn desired temperature and moisture, protects, allows free movement. During the first 12 weeks, the baby kangaroo grows rapidly and acquires characteristic features.

When the baby leaves the nipple, the mother allows him to leave the pouch for short walks. Only before the birth of a new cub does she not allow him to get into the pouch. The baby kangaroo perceives this prohibition with difficulty, since it was previously taught to return at the first call. Meanwhile, the mother cleans and prepares the pouch for the next baby.

The grown kangaroo continues to follow its mother and can stick its head into the pouch to enjoy milk.

This baby in the pouch is already able to move independently

The period of milk feeding lasts many months in large species, but is quite short in small rat kangaroos. As the baby grows, the amount of milk changes. In this case, the mother can simultaneously feed the kangaroo in the pouch and the previous one, but different amounts milk and from different nipples. This is possible due to the fact that the secretion of each mammary gland is regulated by hormones independently. In order for the older cub to grow quickly, he receives full-fat milk, while the newborn in the pouch is provided with skim milk.

All species give birth to only one baby, with the exception of the musk kangaroo, which often produces twins and even triplets.

Conservation in nature

Australian farmers kill about 3 million large kangaroos and wallaroos every year because they are considered pests of pastures and crops. Shooting is licensed and regulated.

When Australia was just populated by the first newcomers, these marsupials were not so numerous, and in the second half of the 19th century, scientists even feared that kangaroos might disappear. However, the development of pastures and watering holes for sheep, along with a decrease in the number of dingoes, led to the flourishing of these marsupials. Only in New Guinea are things different: commercial hunting has reduced populations and threatened tree kangaroos and some other restricted species.

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