Random Fact: About Kangaroos (Hop Hop)

Did you know that there are twice as many kangaroos in Australia as there are people? The kangaroo population is estimated about 40 million.

Photo by digitalART2There are over 60 different species of kangaroos and their relatives. Kangaroos belong to the super family Macropodoidea (or macropods, meaning ‘great-footed’). This super family is divided into the the Macropodidae and the Potoroidae families.

 

Kangaroos of all varities live in all areas of Australia, from cold-climate areas and desert plains, to tropical rainforests and beaches.  They are herbivorous, eating a range of plants and most are nocturnal. Different kangaroo species live in a variety of habitats. Potoroids, for example, make nests while tree-kangaroos live above ground in trees. Larger species of kangaroo tend to shelter under trees or in caves and rock clefts.

 

Perhaps their most well-known trait is their powerful back legs and long feet, with which they use to hop. Their tails are used to balance while hopping and is like a fifth limb when they are moving slowly.

 

Female kangaroos have pouches where the joey (young kangaroo) is raised until it can survive outside the pouch. The are prolific breeders and breed throughout the year; which must be why they so greatly outnumber the human population in Australia.**

**edited: this is not to say that humans don't breed throughout the year (thanks, Shay - ha ha)... but that kangaroos just multiply faster. Point well taken.

Comments

[Shay]

So, in that last sentence, are you suggesting that the humans in Australia do NOT breed throughout the year? ;)
...Because, based on the Australians I have known, I am betting that they do. :)

[external hard drive]

Thanks for sharing information. I have another facts.
A group of Kangaroos is called a mob.
A young Kangaroo is called a Joey.
Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backwards.