What is a Kangaroo?

A kangaroo is a large marsupial, which means that it has a pouch to carry its young, located on its lower abdomen. It has fur color ranging from red, to tan, to gray, and has a cream-colored belly. It has powerful hind legs and large feet, adapted for hopping and leaping, and a long muscular tail for balance. It has a small head, large ears, and a small mouth with specialized teeth for grazing on grass and other plants¹²³.

How much does a Kangaroo weigh?

The weight of a kangaroo depends on the species, gender, and age of the animal. The average weight range for adult kangaroos is between 13 and 65.8 kilograms (28.6 and 145 pounds), but some species like the red kangaroo and the eastern gray kangaroo can weigh up to 90.7 kilograms (200 pounds)⁴⁵. Newborn kangaroos, called joeys, only weigh 0.85 grams (0.03 ounces)⁵. Female kangaroos weigh roughly half of male kangaroos⁴⁵.

Some FAQs about kangaroos

Where do kangaroos live?

Kangaroos are native to Australia and New Guinea, and some nearby islands. They live in a variety of habitats, such as woods, bushland, grassland, savanna, forest, and scrubland¹²³.

What do kangaroos eat?

Kangaroos are herbivores that eat mainly grass and other plants. They have a chambered stomach that helps them digest their food efficiently. They can also regurgitate their food and chew it again before swallowing it for final digestion. Kangaroos can survive for long periods without drinking water, as they get moisture from the plants they eat¹²³.

How do kangaroos reproduce?

Kangaroos have a complex reproductive system that allows them to breed continuously. Female kangaroos can have up to three joeys at different stages of development at the same time: one in the pouch, one outside the pouch but still suckling, and one in the uterus waiting to be born. The female can control when to release the fertilized egg from the uterus into the pouch, depending on the availability of food and water¹²³.

How do kangaroos communicate?

Kangaroos use various sounds and body language to communicate with each other. They can make grunts, coughs, hisses, clucks, clicks, snorts, and growls to express their emotions and intentions. Kangaroos also use nose touching or sniffing to greet each other and maintain social bonds. They can thump their tail or feet on the ground to warn others of danger or to challenge rivals¹²³.

Some fun facts about kangaroos

• The word “kangaroo” comes from the Guugu Yimithirr word “gangurru”, which refers to the gray kangaroo¹.
• The red kangaroo is the largest living marsupial and can grow up to 6 feet tall and weigh up to 200 pounds¹².
• The antilopine kangaroo is also known as the antelope kangaroo because of its resemblance to an antelope. It has long legs, a slender body, and a reddish-brown coat¹.
• The eastern gray kangaroo is the heaviest marsupial in the world and can weigh up to 200 pounds. It can also jump up to 30 feet in length and 10 feet in height¹².
• The western gray kangaroo is also known as the black-faced kangaroo because of its dark muzzle. It has coarse fur that ranges from gray-brown to chocolate-brown¹.

Source:
(1) Kangaroo – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo.
(2) Kangaroo | Characteristics, Habitat, Diet, & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/animal/kangaroo.
(3) Kangaroo – Description, Habitat, Image, Diet, and Interesting Facts. https://animals.net/kangaroo/.
(4) Kangaroo: Habitat, Behavior, and Diet – ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/kangaroo-facts-4685082.
(5) Kangaroo Weight: How Much Do Different Kangaroos Weigh? – Misfit Animals. https://misfitanimals.com/kangaroos/kangaroo-weight/.
(6) How Much Does A Kangaroo Weigh? (With 6 examples). https://luckykangaroos.com/en/kangaroo-weight/.
(7) Kangaroo Fact Sheet | Blog | Nature | PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/kangaroo-fact-sheet/.
(8) How Much Do Kangaroos Weigh?(Comparison+Examples ) – AnimalTriangle. https://animaltriangle.com/how-much-do-kangaroos-weigh/.