kangaroo: Types of Kangaroos kangaroo Types of Kangaroos The largest kangaroo, and largest of all marsupials, is the great red kangaroo, M. rufus, which inhabits the inland plains of Australia. Males of this species may be over 7 ft (210 cm) tall and weigh over 200 lbs (90 kg). They are bright maroon in color, with white faces and underparts. Females, called blue flyers, are blue-gray; smaller and faster than the males, they may achieve speeds of 30 mi (48 km) per hr. The great gray kangaroo, M. canguru, is almost as large; it is found in open forest areas of E and W Australia and in Tasmania. A related kangaroo, M. robustus, is known as the wallaroo and inhabits rocky hills throughout most of the continent. Smaller, but quite similar in appearance and behavior, are members of the kangaroo family called wallabies and pademelons, of which there are many species, classified in several genera.

Some of these are plains dwellers, others live among rocks or in scrub country; most are about the size of a rabbit. Of similar size are the tree and rat kangaroos. Tree kangaroos, species of the genus Dendrolagus, are the only arboreal members of the family. Found in the rain forests of New Guinea and N Australia, they climb well and can leap from branch to branch. Rat kangaroos are omnivorous animals of ratlike appearance. They feed largely on roots and fungi; members of many species live in burrows. They are classified in several genera and are distributed throughout the Australian region. Sections in this article: How Many Types of Kangaroos are There? How Many Types of Kangaroos are There? Home Science Howmanyarethere 03 November 2011 2198 Views Have you seen a kangaroo before out of zoo before ? I didn’t see a Kangaroo before but i always wonder that what is kangaroo, size and types of kangaroos. What is Kangaroo? A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae (macropods, meaning ‘large foot’).

Wikipedia Any of various herbivorous marsupials of the family Macropodidae of Australia and adjacent islands, having short forelimbs, large hind limbs adapted for leaping, and a long tapered tail. thefreedictionary any of various herbivorous leaping marsupial mammals (family Macropodidae) of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands with a small head, large ears, long powerful hind legs, a long thick tail used as a support and in balancing, and rather small forelegs not used in locomotion Merriam Size of Kangaroos The largest kangaroo , and largest of all marsupials, is the great red kangaroo, M. rufus, which inhabits the inland plains of Australia. Males of this species may be over 7 ft (210 cm) tall and weigh over 200 lbs (90 kg). They are bright maroon in color, with white faces and underparts. Females, called blue flyers, are blue-gray; smaller and faster than the males, they may achieve speeds of 30 mi (48 km) per hr. The great gray kangaroo, M.

canguru, is almost as large; it is found in open forest areas of E and W Australia and in Tasmania. A related kangaroo, M. robustus, is known as the wallaroo and inhabits rocky hills throughout most of the continent. Types of Kangaroos There are many varieties of kangaroo which come under the heading of “macropod”. Members of the macropod family are characterised by their big feet (“macropod” means “great-footed”), their front pouches, and the fact that they move primarily by hopping. There are four main species that are commonly called kangaroo. These are: The Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) – This is the largest marsupial in the world and the most common in Australia. The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) – This species ranges over the fertile eastern part of the continent. The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) – This species is found in the southern part of west Australia, near the coast of South Australia and the Darling River basin. The Antilopine Kangaroo (Macropus antilopinus) – This species is found in the far north of Australia.

They inhabit grassy plains and woodlands. Other species of kangaroos are smaller, and they include: Wallabies, including different species of rock-wallaby, brush wallaby and swamp wallaby Quokkas, once thought to be a type of wallaby, but now regarded as another separate group Musky-rat kangaroo (the smallest of all kangaroos) Tree kangaroos, which live in trees, although they can easily jump to the ground from 6m up and escape along the ground if threatened. There are numerous species of tree-kangaroos. They have shorter hind legs and a long, non-prehensile tail which they use as a rudder for jumping between tree branches. They are the only type also found in New Guinea. Pademelons, which are the smallest of the macropod family. There are many different varities of pademelons. Wallaroos and euros, which come in between wallabies and kangaroos in size. They are characterised by a more thickset body, and are darker around the snout. Then there are the potoroids – a sub-species of the kangaroo family.

Examples include: Rat-kangaroos, which look like oversized rats around the face and ears. There are various species of these, such as the Musky rat-kangaroo and the Rufous rat-kangaroo. Rat kangaroos are different to the kangaroo-rats of North America, and not at all related. Potoroos, which are small and quite endangered. Gilbert’s Potoroo is the most threatened marsupial species in Australia. Bettongs which, like the potoroo, are sometimes included in with the rat-kangaroos. They are quite small, usually weighing only a couple of kilograms when mature. Some specific species (not all) are listed below, excluding the extinct species.

The rat kangaroos, potoroos and bettongs are also not represented below: Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi Grizzled Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus inustus Bennett’s Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus bennettianus Ursine Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus ursinus Matschie’s Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus matschiei Doria’s Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus dorianus Goodfellow’s Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus goodfellowi Lowlands Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus spadix Seri’s Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus stellarum Dingiso, Dendrolagus mbaiso Macleay’s Dorcopsis, Dorcopsulus macleayi Spectacled Hare-wallaby, Lagorchestes conspicillatus Western Brush Wallaby, Macropus irma Parma Wallaby, Macropus parma Woodward’s Wallaroo, Macropus bernadus Eastern Wallaroo, Macropus robustus Bridled Nail-tail Wallaby, Onychogalea fraenata Northern Nail

-tail Wallaby, Onychogalea unguifera Short-eared Rock-wallaby, Petrogale brachyotis Rothschild’s Rock-wallaby, Petrogale rothschildi Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby, Petrogale xanthopus Cape York Rock-wallaby, Petrogale coenensis Godman’s Rock-wallaby, Petrogale godmani Herbert’s Rock-wallaby, Petrogale herberti Unadorned Rock-wallaby, Petrogale inornata Mt.

Claro Rock-wallaby, Petrogale sharmani Quokka, Setonix brachyurus Brown’s Pademelon, Thylogale browni Dusky Pademelon, Thylogale brunii Calaby’s Pademelon, Thylogale calabyi Mountain Pademelon, Thylogale lanatus Kangaroos: Facts, Information & Pictures Credit: Renate | Shutterstock Kangaroos are large marsupials that are found only in Australia. They are identified by their muscular tails, strong back legs, large feet, short fur and long, pointed ears. Like all marsupials, a sub-type of mammal, females have pouches that contain mammary glands, where their young live until they are old enough to emerge. Kangaroos are in the Macropodidae family, which also includes tree-kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, quokkas and pademelons. When people think of kangaroos, the four species that typically come to mind are in the genus Macropus: the antilopine kangaroo, the red kangaroo, the western gray kangaroo and the eastern gray kangaroo.

They are sometimes referred to as the "great kangaroos" because these species are much larger than other kangaroos. However, there are 12 species of tree-kangaroos in the Dendrolagus genus, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. And, bettongs , in the Potoridae family, are called rat-kangaroos. Size The largest kangaroo, as well as the largest marsupial, is the red kangaroo, according to National Geographic . The length from the red kangaroo's head to its rump is 3.25 to 5.25 feet (1 to 1.6 meters) long. Its tail adds another 35.5 to 43.5 inches (90 to 110 centimeters) to its length and its entire body weighs around 200 lbs. (90 kilograms). The smallest kangaroo is the musky rat-kangaroo . It is only 6 to 8 inches (15.24 to 20.32 cm) long and weighs only 12 ounces (340 grams).

Its ratlike tail adds another 5 to 6 inches (12.7 to 15.24 cm) to its length. Habitat Most kangaroos live on the continent of Australia, though each species has a different place it likes to call home. For example, the musky rat-kangaroo likes to nestle down in little nests on the floor of the rainforests in northeastern Queensland. Gray kangaroos like the forests of Australia and Tasmania, on the other hand. The antilopine kangaroo can be found in the monsoonal eucalyptus woodlands of extreme northern Australia. Tree-kangaroos live in the upper branches of trees in the rainforests of Queensland, as well as on the island of New Guinea. Kangaroos at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park. Credit: Flickr/paul dynamik. Habits Kangaroos are the only large animals that hop as a primary means of locomotion. Their springy hind legs and feet are much stronger and larger than their arms (or "forelimbs").

According to the San Diego Zoo, kangaroos can cover 15 feet (7 m) in a single hop and can hop as fast as 30 mph (48 kph). Usually, 20 mph (32 kph) is considered their cruising speed. When feeding, kangaroos use a slower, walking movement, and for that they use their muscular tail as a kind of fifth leg, pushing off the ground as they move along. Kangaroos are social and live in groups called a mob, a herd or a troop. Kangaroos in a mob will groom each other and protect each other from danger. If a kangaroo suspects there is danger in the area, it will stomp its foot on the ground to alert others. If it comes to blows, a kangaroo will box and kick its opponent. Diet Kangaroos are herbivores. They eat grasses, flowers, leaves, ferns, moss and even insects. Like cows, kangaroos regurgitate their food and re-chew it before it is ready to be totally digested. A juvenile kangaroo views the outside world from the pouch of an adult female Eastern gray kangaroo.

Credit: Fir0002/Flagstaffotos Offspring Probably the best-known fact about kangaroos is that they carry their young in a pouch. A female kangaroo is pregnant for 21 to 38 days, and she can give birth to up to four offspring at one time, though this is unusual. At birth, the baby, called a joey, can be as small as a grain of rice, or as big as a bee, at 0.2 to 0.9 inches (5 to 25 millimeters), according to the San Diego Zoo . When the joey is born, it is guided safely into the comfy pouch, where it gestates for another 120 to 450 days. Inside the pouch, the joey is protected and can feed by nursing from its mother's nipples. Joeys urinate and defecate in the mother's pouch. The lining of the pouch absorbs some of the mess, but occasionally the mother will need to clean it out, which she does by inserting her long snout into the pouch and using her tongue to remove the contents.

A young joey will remain attached to a nipple while the mother does this, but any older ones will be temporarily kicked out. Another interesting fact about the mother kangaroo is that she is able to suckle two joeys at different developmental stages at the same time with milk that has different nutritional content, the New York Times has reported. Joeys grow quickly, though, and at 14 to 20 months for females or 2 to 4 years for males, they will be fully matured.

Classification/taxonomy The taxonomy of kangaroos, tree-kangaroos and rat-kangaroos, according to ITIS, is: Kingdom: Animalia Family: Macropodidae Subfamily: Macropodinae Genus & species: Macropus fuliginosus (western gray kangaroo; three subspecies), Macropus giganteus (eastern gray kangaroo; two subspecies), Macropus antilopinus (antilopine kangaroo), Macropus rufus (red kangaroo) Tree-kangaroos Subfamily: Macropodinae Genus: Dendrolagus Species: 12, including Dendrolagus bennettianus (Bennett's tree-kangaroo), Dendrolagus goodfellowi (Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo), Dendrolagus matschiei (Huon tree-kangaroo) and Dendrolagus spadix (Lowlands tree-kangaroo).

Rat-kangaroos Family: Potoridae Genera & species: Aepyprymnus rufescens (Rufous bettong or Rufous rat-kangaroo), Bettongia (four species of bettongs, or short-nosed rat-kangaroos), Caloprymnus campestris (desert rat-kangaroo) Musky rat-kangaroos Genus & species: Hypsiprymnodon moschatus Kangaroo ancestors There is a rich fossil record for kangaroo ancestors and ancient relatives; giant kangaroos plodded through the Pleistocene (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago) and the Pliocene (5.3 million to 2.6 million years ago). And about 20 million years ago, tiny ancestors of modern kangaroos and a related group of kangaroos with fangs scurried through dense forests in northwestern Queensland, Australia, a region that is now arid outback.

In a study published in February 2016, scientists described a new kangaroo genus , Cookeroo, and two new species: Cookeroo bulwidarri, dated to about 23 million years ago, and Cookeroo hortusensis, which lived between 18 million and 20 million years ago. These ancient kangaroos' bodies probably measured about 17 to 20 inches (42 to 52 centimeters) long. C. bulwidarri and C. hortusensis didn't hop, navigating their forest home on all fours and sharing it with a diverse collection of animals: marsupial moles, feather-tailed possums, ancient koalas and crocodiles. Conservation status According to the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species, 16 species of tree-kangaroos and rat-kangaroos are listed as either near threatened, threatened, vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. The desert rat-kangaroo and the Nullarbor dwarf bettong are considered extinct. Studies show that global warming could also kill off the world's smallest kangaroo . The four species of great kangaroos are not endangered.

Types of Kangaroos - Kangaroo Facts and Information Types of Kangaroos Kangaroo Species Index Wild Kangaroo Kangaroo Species There are quite a few different Kangaroo species out there to learn more about. It is believed that they have been around for millions of years. Red Kangaroo The Red Kangaroo is well known throughout the world. They get their name from the reddish color of their fur. Eastern Gray Kangaroo The Eastern Gray Kangaroo offers quite a few different shades of gray out there. They also have a belly region that is a light creamy white color. Western Gray Kangaroo The Western Gray Kangaroo is a very large species of marsupial. Full grown males are about 6 feet tall. They can weight about 120 pounds. Categories Koala Express: Interesting and amazing facts about the Australian kangaroo A male kangaroo is called a boomer A female kangaroo is called a flyer A baby kangaroo is called a joey A Kangaroo is a marsupial mammal. It is a macropod which means "big foot". There are over 40 different types (species) of Kangaroo. The smaller ones are usually called Wallabies. The largest is the Red Kangaroo.

It stands taller than a man and can weigh 85 kg's. It is the largest marsupial in the world. On the Australian coat of arms the Emu and the Kangaroo were selected as symbols of Australia to represent the country progress because they are always moving forward and never move backwards. Kangaroos are the largest marsupial mammals. They belong to the Macropodidae family. Baby kangaroos Kangaroos usually have one young annually. The young kangaroo, or joey, is born at a very immature stage when it is only about 2 cm long and weighs less than a gram. Immediately after birth it crawls up the mother's body and enters the pouch. The baby attaches its mouth to one of four teats, which then enlarges to hold the young animal in place. After several weeks, the joey becomes more active and gradually spends more and more time outside the pouch, which it leaves completely between 7 and 10 months of age. Female kangaroos enter into heat within a few days after giving birth they mate and conceive, but after only one week's development does the microscopic embryo enter a dormant state that lasts until the previous young leaves the pouch.

The development of the second embryo then resumes and proceeds to birth after a gestation period of about 30 days. Note: There are 47 varieties of kangaroo, ranging in size from the two-pound rock wallaby to the 6-foot, 300-pound red kangaroo. Kangaroos are FAST! The Kangaroo moves by hopping on its powerful hind legs. It uses its thick long tail to balance its body while hopping. A kangaroo can hop at up to 60kmh (40mph). It can also leap over obstacles up to 3m (10ft) high. Because of the unusual shape of its legs and its bulky tail a kangaroo can't walk or move backwards very easily. Kangaroos are found in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. They are grazing animals that eat grass, young shoots and leaves of heath plants and grass trees. Kangaroos need very little water to survive and are capable of going for months without drinking at all. The kangaroo usually rests in the shade during the day and comes out to eat in the late afternoon and night when its much cooler. It eats mostly grass. It needs very little water to survive.

It can survive without drinking for months. Reproduced with permission from the Lonely Planet website © 2010 Lonely Planet. Image surfsidebackpackers.com.au Groups of kangaroos are called 'mobs' When a kangaroo is moving slowly the tail is used as an extra leg and supports the kangaroo when it is standing on its hind legs. Most kangaroos can only move both back legs together and not one at a time. Kangaroos have good eyesight but only respond to moving objects. They have excellent hearing and can swivel their large ears in all directions to pick up sounds. Kangaroos are social animals that live in groups or "mobs" of at least two or three individuals and up to 100 kangaroos. Note Kangaroos usually have one young annually. The joey remains in the pouch for nine months and continues to suckle until twelve to seventeen months of age. Kangaroos can have 3 babies at one time. One becoming mature and just out of the pouch, another developing in the pouch and one embryo in pause mode. There are 4 teats in the pouch and each provides different milk for the different stages of development.

Some kangaroo facts and figures Common name / Scientific name / Height Weight Eastern Grey Macropus giganteus 3 - 8ft (0.9 - 2.4m) 40 - 200 lbs (18 - 95kg) Red kangaroo Macropus Rufus 3 - 9ft (0.9 - 2.7m) 40 - 150 lbs (18 - 70kg) Western Grey Macropus fuliginosus 3 - 7ft (0.9 - 2.1m) 63 - 120lbs (28 - 54kg) Reproduced with permission from the Lonely Planet website © 2010 Lonely Planet. Image surfsidebackpackers.com.au Eastern Grey Kangaroo Sometimes known as the "Forester" the Eastern grey kangaroo is the heaviest marsupial in the world. Males are larger than females (rarely exceed 45kg).Eastern grey kangaroo lives in small groups but may congregate in large numbers when feeding. It is usually active from late afternoon until early morning, resting in the shade of trees and shrubs during the day.

Kangaroos are the only large animals to use hopping as a means of locomotion. The comfortable hopping speed for a red kangaroo is about 20–25 km/h (12–16 mph), but speeds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph) can be attained over short distances, while it can sustain a speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) for nearly 2 km (1.2 mi). This fast and energy-efficient method of travel has evolved because of the need to regularly cover large distances in search of food and water, rather than the need to escape predators. At slow speeds, it employs pentapedal locomotion, using its tail to form a tripod with its two forelimbs while bringing its hind feet forward. Kangaroos are adept swimmers, and often flee into waterways if threatened by a predator. If pursued into the water, a kangaroo may use its forepaws to hold the predator underwater so as to drown it. They are able to cleared lengths of 25 feet (8 meters) and heights of 9 feet (3 meters).Eastern grey kangaroos generally give birth to one infant at a time but twins have been reported.

A single young weighing less than 0.35oz (1gr) is born after a pregnancy of 36 days. The joey leaves the pouch for short periods in about nine months of age, but continues to be suckled until it is about 18 months of age. Beware! If pursued into the water, a kangaroo may use its forepaws to hold the predator underwater so as to drown it. They are able to cleared lengths of 25 feet (8 meters) and heights of 9 feet (3 meters).Eastern grey kangaroos generally give birth to one infant at a time but twins have been reported. A single young weighing less than 0.35oz (1gr) is born after a pregnancy of 36 days. The joey leaves the pouch for short periods in about nine months of age, but continues to be suckled until it is about 18 months of age. Red Kangaroo The Red kangaroo is the largest marsupial in the world. The female is often called the "blue flyer" because of her blue-grey fur.

In the eastern part males are usually red (pale red to brick red) and females a bluish grey, elsewhere, both sexes may be reddish/brown. Red kangaroos normally move in groups ("mobs") ranging from a few dozen to several hundred animals. The Red kangaroo mob usually consists of a dominant male, a number of adult females, and juveniles of both sexes. Red kangaroo females are sexually mature at about eighteen months, males at about two years. Red kangaroo joeys remain in the pouch for 5-6 months. Over a period of 2-3 months they gradually spend more time away from the pouch usually weaned by one year of age, but normally remain close to the mother for another 6 months. Western Grey Kangaroo The Western grey kangaroo looks much like the Eastern grey kangaroo, and for many years was treated as subspecies. They vary in color, being anywhere from greyish-brown to chocolate brown. The muzzle is covered in fine hair. The western group is slender and greyish-brown in color, and the southern group is stockier and brown in color. Western grey kangaroo males are known as stinkers due to their strong, curry-like smell.

Western grey kangaroos are very vocal. The mothers communicate to the joeys with a series of clicks. Western grey kangaroos have no particular breeding season, although most joeys are born in the summer. The Western grey kangaroo is related to the Eastern grey and Red kangaroos. Where they live Eastern grey kangaroo estimate population in 2011 was 16,057,783 Eastern grey kangaroos are distributed throughout most of the eastern third of the Australian continent, especially along the coast in damp forest and scrub. It has increased in numbers since European settlement due to pasture improvement, and the provision of watering points for stock. Red kangaroo estimated population in 2011 was 11,514,298 Red kangaroos are distributed throughout inland Australia and occupy mixed habitats of open shrub lands, grasslands, male scrubs, Mulga country, and desert absent from the wetter areas of eastern, northern and south-western Australia. Western Grey kangaroo estimated population in 2011 was 2,348,393 Western grey kangaroos inhabit 60% of western and southern Australia.

The southern group can be found in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. They live in woodlands, open forests, coastal heath land, open grassland, scrubland and also can be found on city outskirts and golf courses. Kangaroo numbers are increasing throughout Australia. They are now found in greater numbers than prior European settlement due to provision of pasture and additional water points. Since the extermination of its natural predator, the Tasmanian wolf, and because of its rapid reproductive abilities this animal has overpopulated. Kanagaroo feeding facts All kangaroos have a chambered stomach similar to cattle and sheep. They regurgitate the vegetation they have eaten, chew it as cud, and then swallow it again for final digestion. The Red kangaroo grazes during the night on a wide variety of grasses and low herbaceous plants, though sometimes this grazing period starts late evening and ends early morning When water is available it will drink but, if it obtains sufficient green food, it does not need to do so. Western grey kangaroos feed mostly on grass but will browse upon certain native shrubs. They are strictly herbivorous and use microorganisms in the caecum to break down the cellulose of these plants.

They can survive on plants high in fiber but low in nitrogen, and require very little water. Beware! The kangaroo fights by attacking its opponent with its front paws (which have sharp claws) or by kicking them with its powerful hind legs. Have you heard of Kanga the kangaroo? The cutest little kangaroo in Australia you can own! Kangaroos Kangaroos Section or Web Site 1 This site introduces some common facts about kangaroos that is essential to know before understanding what a kangaroo really is. It also includes highlighted vocabulary words about kangaroos which can be clicked on to attain the definition. Questions What are baby kangaroos called? Why doesn't the baby kangaroo fly out of his mom's pouch when they are hopping? What makes a kangaroo a marsupial? What makes a kangaroo nocturnal? Click here to learn more common facts about kangaroos. Section or Web Site 2 This site describes exactly what a kangaroo is. It also allows viewers to purchase several kangaroo items such as t-shirts, plush animals, and hand puppets. Questions What is a nickname given to kangaroos? Click here to understand what a kangaroo is.

Section or Web Site 3 This site explains tells exactly where each type of kangaroo is found. Not only does it color coordinate the type of kangaroo and their locations, but it also tells the approximate size that each type of kangaroo will reach. Questions Approximately how tall can an Eastern Grey kangaroo grow? What is an approximate number of Western Grey kangaroos found in Australia in 1996? How fast can an Eastern Grey kangaroo hop? Click here to see where the different types of kangaroos are found. Section or Web Site 4 This site lists some unusual facts that are very neat and important to know. Many of these facts are very unusual and may seem a bit overwhelming. Questions How far can a kangaroo jump? How many different types of kangaroos are there? What makes a kangaroo different than most other 4 legged animals? Click here to learn more unusual and interesting facts about kangaroos. Section or Web Site 5 This website discusses the largest and smallest types of kangaroos. It also introduces animals that are in the kangaroo family that look completely different from normal kangaroos. Questions What is the largest of the kangaroo family? What are the members of the extended kangaroo family?

Click here to learn more about the sizes and extended families of kangaroos. Description of Hands-on Activity The students will lable the parts of a kangaroo such as it's pouch, it's tail, it's baby or joey. They will then color their kangaroo parts the color of their choice. Photos Topic Page Lesson Plan 1 General Information Grade Level: Pre-K- Special Education Subject Area(s): SCIENCE - TECHNOLOGY Total Duration of Lesson: 35 – 40 minutes Title of Lesson - What is a Kangaroo? This lesson integrates science and technology to teach children about animals. The animal that is the focus of this lesson is the kangaroo. Primary Learning Outcome(s) (PLO) A. The student will use the computer to find information about kangaroos B. The student will identify characteristics of kangaroos and compare them to other animals C. The students will explain how the kangaroos eat, and list the foods it likes to eat. D. The student will use the mouse and point to pictures and words on the web site to find information about the kangaroo. Chart Review Activity As the teacher goes through each section of the web page, children are asked to recall information they learned about the animal.

The teacher records the information on chart paper using colorful markers Hands-On-Activity The students will perform movements of animals, including the kangaroo, which are presented in a song. Technology Connection This is a computer-based activity. Children will work in a small group with the teacher who will show them the web page that they have developed on the animal. The children will find information based on questions developed by the teacher that are related to each of the web sites. Note: Give enough information so that someone else could teach this lesson using your plan. Step One: Introduction Before showing the children your web site, spark their interest by asking them a riddle about the animal We are going to learn about an animal that lives in Australia that can hop really high and hold its baby with no hands. Can anyone guess what the animal might be? · What are some things you know about this animal? Let’s go to my web site to find out. Step Two: Teaching the Primary Learning Outcome(s). · Go through each section and review the web sites. Remember that young children have shorter attention spans, so highlight information from the web sites that relate to the questions you are asking. · Allow children to take turns using the mouse to point to pictures and clicking on links to find new information.

Go to the web site and show the children your page. What are baby kangaroos called? Why doesn't the baby kangaroo fly out of his mom's pouch when they are hopping? What makes a kangaroo a marsupial? What makes a kangaroo nocturnal? · Students will take turns finding information by pointing and clicking on links to find answers to the questions. · After each section review the information BRIEFLY with them about what they learned. As they tell you the information, write it on the chart. · Check for understanding before going on to the next section by doing an informal review. As they give you the answers, write them on the charts in brief phrases or sentences, i.e. Baby kangaroos are called joeys. Kangaroos sleep during the day and go out at night. Section 2 1. What is a kangaroo? 2. What is a nickname given to kangaroos? · Students will take turns finding information by pointing and clicking on links to find answers to the questions. · After each section review the information BRIEFLY with them about what they learned. As they tell you the information, write it on the chart.

· Check for understanding before going on to the next section by doing an informal review. As they give you the answers, write them on the charts in brief phrases or sentences, i.e. A Kangaroo is an animal that jumps Kangaroos can also be called roos. How fast can an Eastern Grey kangaroo hop? · Students will take turns finding information by pointing and clicking on links to find answers to the questions. · After each section review the information BRIEFLY with them about what they learned. As they tell you the information, write it on the chart. · Check for understanding before going on to the next section by doing an informal review. As they give you the answers, write them on the charts in brief phrases or sentences, i.e. An Eastern Grey kangaroo can grow up to 4 feet. An Eastern Grey kangaroo can hop close to 40 mph. How far can a kangaroo jump? How many different types of kangaroos are there? What makes a kangaroo different than most other 4-legged animals? · Students will take turns finding information by pointing and clicking on links to find answers to the questions. · After each section review the information BRIEFLY with them about what they learned.

As they tell you the information, write it on the chart. · Check for understanding before going on to the next section by doing an informal review. As they give you the answers, write them on the charts in brief phrases or sentences, i.e. A kangaroo can jump nearly 45 feet. A kangaroo is different than most other 4-legged animals because it cannot walk backwards. Section 5 What is the largest of the kangaroo family? What are the members of the extended kangaroo family? · Students will take turns finding information by pointing and clicking on links to find answers to the questions. · After each section review the information BRIEFLY with them about what they learned. As they tell you the information, write it on the chart. · Check for understanding before going on to the next section by doing an informal review. As they give you the answers, write them on the charts in brief phrases or sentences, i.e. The largest of the kangaroo family is the Red Kangaroo. The koala is another member of the kangaroo family. Estimated Time: (20 minutes) Step Three: Closure After going through the 5 sections of web sites and completing the chart, read the information about that they dictated.

This will help the children review and remember things that they thought important and interesting about the animal Assessing the Primary Learning Outcome Tell the students that we are about to sing a song. Example: Have the students stand up and spread out. Go through each animal movement that will be performed during the song. · Turn the song on and have the students create the movements that were previously taught. · Tell the students that they can even create the sounds that the animal makes if possible. (Ex. kangaroo- boing) ASSESSMENT: The RUBRIC will be included here: You will be evaluating the students by observing them and rating their ability to demonstrate knowledge by their responses or by the hands-on product they completed. Include a separate rubric for each student in the group. Complete the rubric as the students are working or after they have completed the assignments. Plan for Early Finishers Students who complete their activity will be allowed to go back to the computer and click on the web sites of their choice while the others complete their work. Accommodation This activity is a small group activity; therefore, the teacher will be able to help students with special needs by repeating information several times to clarify information.

The teacher will also be able to assist students in developing fine motor skills by helping students as they use glue, pencils, crayons, scissors, etc. Kangaroo | Basic Facts About Kangaroos | Defenders of Wildlife Home | Wild Places & Wildlife | Fact Sheets | Kangaroo | Basic Facts About Kangaroos Basic Facts About Kangaroos Kangaroos are the largest living marsupials from the family Macropodidae. There are four species commonly referred to as the kangaroo: the red kangaroo, the eastern grey kangaroo, the western grey kangaroo, and the antilopine kangaroo. © Matt Walker Diet Kangaroos are grazing herbivores, which means their diet consists mainly of grasses. They can survive long periods without water. Population The kangaroo is the national symbol of Australia. Eastern gray kangaroo (Macropus giganteus): 8,978,000. Western gray kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus): 1,774,000. Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus): 8,351,000.

Range Kangaroos are found in Australia and Tasmania, as well as on surrounding islands. Kangaroos live in varied habitats, from forests and woodland areas to grassy plains and savannas . Behavior Kangaroos live and travel in organized groups or "mobs," dominated by the largest male. Male kangaroos are called boomers, bucks or jacks; females are does, flyers, or jills, and the young ones are joeys. The collective noun for kangaroos is a mob, troop or court. Did You Know? Kangaroos are the only large animals to use hopping as a means of locomotion. Because of its long feet, a kangaroo cannot walk normally. To move at slow speeds, a kangaroo will use its tail to form a tripod with its two forelimbs. It then raises its hind feet forward, in a form of locomotion called "crawl-walking." Reproduction Usually, female kangaroos give birth to one joey at a time. Newborns weigh as little as 0.03 ounces at birth - as small as a lima bean! After birth, the joey crawls into its mother's pouch, where it will nurse and continue to grow and develop.

Red kangaroo joeys do not leave the pouch for good until they are more than eight months old. Gray kangaroo joeys wait until they are almost a year old. Red Kangaroos, Red Kangaroo Pictures, Red Kangaroo Facts - National Geographic Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man Please add a "relative" entry to your dictionary. The red kangaroo is the world's largest marsupial. Females have one baby at a time, which at birth is smaller than a cherry. The infant immediately climbs into its mother's pouch and does not emerge for two months. Until they reach about eight months of age, threatened young kangaroos, called joeys, will quickly dive for the safety of mom's pouch. As they grow, joeys' heads and feet can often be seen hanging out of the pouch. Red kangaroos hop along on their powerful hind legs and do so at great speed. A red kangaroo can reach speeds of over 35 miles (56 kilometers) an hour. Their bounding gait allows them to cover 25 feet (8 meters) in a single leap and to jump 6 feet (1.8 meters) high.

Female red kangaroos are smaller, lighter, and faster than males. They also boast a blue-hued coat, so many Australians call them "blue fliers." Larger male kangaroos are powerfully built. Like many species, male kangaroos sometimes fight over potential mates. They often lean back on their sturdy tail and "box" each other with their strong hind legs. Kangaroos can also bite and wield sharp claws, which they may do in battle with an enemy like a dingo. Red kangaroos live in Australia's deserts and open grasslands, gathering in groups called mobs. Aboriginal and European Australians have spent centuries clearing open tracts of land and establishing water sources—both of which are boons to kangaroo populations. Many millions of these animals roam Australia, and considerable numbers are killed each year for their skins and meat, which is becoming a more popular human food. Kangaroo Information And Facts For Kids About Active Wild Kangaroo Information And Facts For Kids Kangaroos are only found in the wild in Australia. Kangaroos don’t move around by walking. Instead, they move from place to place by jumping, using their strong legs and big feet to propel themselves along.

This page is full of kangaroo information and amazing facts about kangaroos for kids. There’s even a video of boxing kangaroos! Lets learn more about these awesome creatures… Kangaroo Information: The Basics Kangaroos’ bodies are designed for jumping! They have short front legs, powerful hind legs, huge hind feet and strong tails. Kangaroos come from a family of animals called macropods, which means ‘large foot’. Their big feet help them with all that leaping around! Kangaroos are the biggest macropods. Other macropods are wallabies (the smallest) and wallaroos (inbetween wallabies and kangaroos in size). Types Of Kangaroo There are four main types of kangaroo: red, eastern grey, western grey and antilopine. Red kangaroos are the biggest type of kangaroo. They are also the biggest type of marsupial (pouched animals). The male’s fur is mainly red; the female’s is grey-brown in colour. Eastern grey kangaroos are the second biggest type of kangaroo. They are the most abundant type of kangaroo: there are several million of them living in Australia.

Western grey kangaroos vary in colour from pale grey to brown and are common throughout southern Australia. Antilopine kangaroos are slightly smaller than red and eastern grey kangaroos. Their name means ‘antelope-like’. Red Kangaroos are the biggest type of kangaroo. How Big Are Kangaroos? Kangaroos stand between five and six feet tall from their feet to their long, pointed ears. They weigh between 50 and 120 pounds. Male kangaroos are taller and heavier than female kangaroos. What Are Baby Kangaroos Called? Looks like this joey will soon be jumping around on his own! Baby kangaroos are called joeys. Female kangaroos usually only have one joey at a time. Mother kangaroos have special pouches on the fronts of their bodies for carrying their joeys in. Directly after being born, the tiny joey climbs up its mother’s fur to reach her pouch. At this stage the joey really is tiny; just a few centimetres long. The joey then stays in its mother’s pouch for around 8 months until it is old enough to leap around on its own! How do kangaroos travel?

Kangaroos are fast movers, usually travelling at around 20-25 miles per hour. However, when necessary, kangaroos can travel at 40 miles per hour! That’s pretty fast! Kangaroos are brilliant jumpers, and can leap as high as 3 metres. That’s much taller than a fully grown man! They’re good at long jumps too, and have been recorded leaping distances of 7 metres. If three tall men lay down in a line, a kangaroo could jump over all of them. Kangaroos have long, strong tails that help them to keep their balance. Where do Kangaroos Live? Kangaroos live in Australia. Different types of kangaroos live in different parts of Australia. Some kangaroos live in rainforests, some live in forests and some live in woodlands. Some make their homes on the floor and some make their homes in trees! Australia typically has a dry and warm climate so it would be difficult for kangaroos to live anywhere else. Drivers in Australia need to watch out for kangaroos! There are more than 30 million kangaroos currently living in Australia. That’s a lot of kangaroos!

There are road signs in Australia warning drivers of kangaroos in the road. Mobs Kangaroos live with other kangaroos in groups. Their social groups are called mobs. A mob is made up of males, females and joeys. The largest male kangaroo is the leader of the mob. Kangaroo Boxing – Myth or Reality? Reality! Kangaroo boxing really does take place. Male kangaroos fight to establish which kangaroo is the toughest. The female kangaroos prefer to have babies with the strongest male kangaroo because it means their babies are likely to grow up big and strong too. When kangaroos box, they hold each other with their front legs and kick each other with their powerful hind legs. Kangaroos can balance on their strong tails and use both hind legs to kick their opponents at the same time. You can see kangaroos boxing in the film below. Kangaroo Predators Kangaroos are big animals and don’t have many natural predators. Dingos (a type of wild dog) are their main threat. When kangaroos sense danger, they thump their feet loudly on the ground to alert others kangaroos in the mob. What do Kangaroos Eat?

Kangaroos eat grass, plants, leaves, tree bark and shrubs. All kangaroos are herbivores, meaning that they eat plants, not meat. Kangaroos eat early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Kangaroos chew their food, spit it up, and then re-chew it before it is completely digested. Cows eat the same way. Kangaroos can go months without drinking. This is useful in a hot country like Australia! Amazing Kangaroo Facts For Kids 1. When kangaroos hop, they use both legs at once but kangaroos are also able to walk around on all four legs. 2. Kangaroos can’t walk backwards. 3. A kangaroo’s lifespan is about six years 4. Kangaroos can swim! The Types of Kangaroos | eHow The Types of Kangaroos Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images Kangaroos are members of the Macroprodinae family of animals, of which there are 62 different species. Of those 62 species, only four are commonly known as kangaroos. The rest of the species are known as wallabies, wallaroos or tree kangarood.

All four species of kangaroo are native to Australia. Red Kangaroo The red kangaroo is the largest marsupial in the world, with adults growing close to nine feet in length from head to tail and weighing up to 200 pounds. Males are larger than females and tend to have a deeper tinge of red to their fur. They range throughout most of Australia with just a few areas in the south and north where they are not found. Using their powerful tails and legs, the red kangaroo can hop up to 35 miles per hour and cover up to 25 feet in a single bound. Eastern Gray Kangaroo The eastern gray is somewhat smaller than the red kangaroo, growing to around 7 feet in length from head to tail and just 120 pounds in weight. Both sexes of the eastern gray have a gray-brown coat; males are larger than females. Like all species of kangaroo, the gray travels in small groups known as mobs and is a herbivore. As its name suggests, the eastern gray is native to eastern Australia. It can reach speeds of over 35 miles per hour and can cover up to 25 feet with one hop.

Western Gray Kangaroo The western gray kangaroo looks almost identical to the eastern variety, but grows slightly larger. The males can reach lengths of 7.5 feet and weigh around 121 pounds with the females being shorter and weighing about half as much. Like all large kangaroos, they are able to balance their whole weight on their muscular tails, which also serve to aid balance as they hop along. They range along the west of Australia in forest and woodland habitats. Antilopine Kangaroo The Antilopine kangaroo is the smallest of the four main species, growing to around 6 feet in length and weighing up to 108 pounds. Similar in color to both gray species of kangaroo, they differ by having less on their muzzles compared to other species. The Antilopine kangaroo has a very small range, making it the least common variety. It is found only in the grassy eucalypt forests of northern Australia.

Question: Which is the largest type of kangaroo?
Answer: Red Kangaroo