| Common Name: |
Red Kangaroo |
| Scientific Name: |
Macropus rufus |
| Family: |
Macropodidae |
| Colour: |
The two sexes are mostly different in colour. The male is reddish-brown to tan above, while the female is mostly bluish-grey. Both are distinctly white below. They both have a black and white pattern on the muzzle and face. |
| Form: |
A large macropod with short and close fur. The rhinarium, or nose, is naked or unhaired. The ears are long. The tail is thick at the base. |
| Distribution: |
The Red Kangaroo is found in arid and semi-arid areas of all mainland states, including inland New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. It is only found in Victoria in the Murray-Sunset National Park. |
| Habitat: |
The Red Kangaroo occurs in open scrubland, tall to low shrubland, hummock grassland and farmland. |
| Nests: |
Red Kangaroos do not construct a nest. They shelter in dust baths under shady trees or shrubs. |
| Food: |
Red Kangaroos feed on grasses, herbs and forbs. They can do without free fresh water as long as the plant food is green. |
| Predators: |
None |
| Human Influence: |
State Faunal Authorities issue licences for slaughtering and harvesting in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. |
| Abundance: |
The Red Kangaroo is common over most its range. |
| Features: |
The Red Kangaroo is usually nocturnal, coming out at night to feed. It is terrestrial and is gregarious, but usually found in small groups of less than ten. The Red Kangaroo is highly mobile while looking for good feeding areas and is capable of travelling hundreds of kilometres. |
| Measurements: |
| Male Measurements |
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Female Measurements |
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| Male head-body length: |
115 cm |
Female head-body length: |
100 cm |
| Male tail length: |
88 cm |
Female tail length: |
82 cm |
| Male weight: |
66 kg |
Female weight: |
26.5 kg |
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| Breeding: |
| Oestrus Cycle: |
polyoestrous |
Size of Litter: |
1 |
| Season: |
all year |
Suckling Period: |
350 days |
| Gestation: |
33 days |
Sexual maturity: |
24 months |
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Embryo delay: |
yes |
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Students and teachers may use the images and information on this website
for their projects if they reference the source
keithdavey.com.au (c) 2005 |
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