Red kangaroo
At the Detroit Zoo
Our mob of red kangaroos shares the Australian Outback Adventure with their close cousins, the red-necked wallabies. Visitors can get face-to-face with the marsupials from right inside their habitat, traveling along a winding path while the animals are free to bound and graze wherever they please.
Description
The red kangaroo is the world’s largest marsupial. The male red kangaroo’s fur is a reddish-brown color. The female is also reddish-brown but her coat has a blue tint to it, giving her the nickname “blue flier”. It uses its strong, large tail to help balance while hopping and sitting. Its short forearms are used for balance while moving. The female has a pouch on her abdomen which is used to raise her young.
Scientific name: Macropus rufus
Continent: Australia
Habitat: Grasslands and deserts
Size: 3-6 feet tall
Weight: Up to 200 pounds
Diet: The red kangaroo is an herbivore and eats grass, shoots, herbs and leaves.
Reproduction: Gestation one month, but will stay in mother's pouch for 130 days; one joey
Lifespan: 23 years
Conservation Status: Least Concern
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