Animals - Australian Connection

Red Kangaroo - Karin, Vonnie & Tazzie
Macropus rufus
Range:	Central Australia
Habitat:	Shrubland, scrubland, grassland and desert.
Diet:	Mostly plant food-grasses, leaves, seeds, fruit, also some insects. At the zoo they eat fruits, vegetables, pellets and leaf eater biscuits.
Fun Facts:	They are native to a region of Australia where average rainfall is less than 20 inches per year. Red kangaroos are the largest marsupials on the planet. Groups of red kangaroos are called mobs and there are typically 10 in a mob. Macropus means "big foot" in Latin. They are the largest mammals to hop on both feet. At full speed, large kangaroos can travel over 35 mph. Kangaroos don't only hop, they also crawl on all fours when moving slowly. In the wild their lifespan is 12-18 years. At birth juveniles are tiny, only measuring 5-15mm (.2-.6in).