Kangaroo
| Kangaroo | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Subkingdom | Bilateria |
| Branch | Deuterostomia |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Sub-phylum | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
| Class Information | |
| Superclass | Tetrapoda |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Infra-class | Marsupialia |
| Order Information | |
| Superorder | Eometatheria |
| Order | Diprotodontia |
| Sub-order | Macropodiformes |
| Family Information | |
| Family | Macropodidae |
| Genus Information | |
| Genus | Macropus |
| Population statistics | |
Kangaroo (Guugu Yimidhirr language: gang-oo-roo[1]), several species of large marsupial of the genus Macropus native to Australia and adjacent islands, characterized over-sized hind legs by which they use hopping to move about. The de facto symbol of Australia, kangaroos have been displayed on everything from the national coat of arms to coins, airline symbols, tourist advertisements, as well as numerous appearances in popular culture.
Contents
Description
Kangaroos have large ears on top of their small heads, a long snout, and short arms with clawed fingers. Their legs are strong, powerful, and are made for leaping. Their feet have four toes at the end of elongated metatarsi that they rest on when standing. They also have a powerful, thick tail that is used as support when standing, a third-leg when walking slowly, and for counterbalance while hopping. Like all marsupials, female kangaroos have a pouch on their stomachs in which they carry their young.
Diet
Kangaroos are herbivores, eating grass, roots, and shrubs. They have a chambered stomach similar to sheep and cattle. They are able to regurgitate their food, chew it again as cud, and then swallow it for digestion.
Social Order
Kangaroos travel in mobs of about ten or more males and females. The leader of the mob, called a "boomer", is a male determined by age and size. The boomer has access to females in his mob for mating and will wander around the mob intimidating any other males who try to mate with his harem.
Reproduction
Female kangaroos usually only have one baby kangaroo (called a "joey") at a time. The newborn joey weighs as little as 0.03 ounces when first born, after which it crawls into its mothers pouch where it will nurse, grow, and develop. Red Kangaroo joeys will stay in their mothers pouch for about eight months and Grey Kangaroo joeys stay in there for about one year.
Uses
Kangaroos are commonly hunted for their meat, with it being exported all over the globe. Kangaroo leather is commonly used in items such as football boots and driving booties.
Living species
- Agile wallaby (Macropus agilis)
- Antilopine kangaroo (Macropus antilopinus)
- Black-striped wallaby (Macropus dorsalis)
- Black wallaroo (Macropus bernardus)
- Common wallaroo (Macropus robustus)
- Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
- Parma wallaby (Macropus parma)
- Red kangaroo Macropus rufus)
- Red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus)
- Tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii)
- Western Brush Wallaby (Macropus irma)
- Western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus)
- Whiptail wallaby (Macropus parryi)
Origins
Evolution
Kangaroos and other marsupials evolved from a common marsupial ancestor which lived hundreds of millions of years ago.[2]
Dreamtime
Some Australian Aborigines believe that kangaroos were sung into existence by their ancestors during the Dreamtime.[3]
See also
- Evolution
- Theory of Evolution and Cases of Fraud, Hoaxes and Speculation
- Irreligion and superstition
External Links
General:
