Scientific Name: Macropus Rufus  (Mac-rope-us ruu-fuss)

The Red Kangaroo can be found in Australia in New Guinea, ranging from inland plains to open woodlands, and even in deserts. They are nocturnal.

    The shape of their body includes short forelimbs, elarged hindlimbs adapted for hopping, and a big and often heavy tail, that helps them balance. When they hop they move very slow.

     The kangaroo is a herbivore, and spends it's nights grazing. When it's light out the kangaroos hop to the shade of a tree and stays unmoving.

    The Red Kangaroo can jump amazing distances. One can jump up to 20 feet in length, and about 9 feet in height.

    The Red Kangaroos mature at about 3 years old. Females are able to start breeding up to six months earlier in certain years. Females usually breed during times of droughts or dry weather. After a few months a Joey (baby kangaroo) is born. At birth Joeys are about the size of a kidney bean. A Joey will eventually climb up the mother's coat (hair) to the pouch. After in the pouch a Joey will stay there until it's able to move (hop and jump) on it's own.

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