When most people think of kangaroos, they think of red kangaroos. They are one of three species of kangaroos that are kept at many centers. The picture at left is of Jaffa, one of our mature male red kangaroos.Mature male kangaroos red coloring closely matches the red soil of the Australian desert outback, giving them a natural camouflage. Red kangaroos don't see very well close up, but can spot the slightest movement at great distances. Young reds become independent from their mother at an earlier age than the grey kangaroos.
One of the three largest species of kangaroos, they are the least common in American collections, yet they are the most adaptable to different climates. Eastern and Western grey kangaroos are two distinct species, and are visibly and behaviorally dissimilar. As their name implies, Eastern greys live in the eastern third of Australia. Western grey kangaroos are native to the southern and western coastal areas of Australia. They have a soft, charcoal-brown colored fur with white fur on the throat, chest and abdomen. Males can reach over 7.5' in body length from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail; females can be over 5.5' in total length. A large male may weight 180 lb., while a large female averages around 70 lb., but some may be heavier. They have a gestation of 30 days.
The joey stays in the pouch for 8 months before venturing out, and does not leave the pouch permanently until 10 months of age. The joey will continue to nurse from the mother for at least another 6 months, even longer if the mother allows it. The W. greys have a very close social bond, and retain family connections for years. A daughter often stays close to her mother even after she has a joey of her own. In captivity, they have proven to be very intelligent animals. When they are defensive, they will growl like a dog, which sounds quite intimidating.
Young kangaroos will box playfully. Adult males will box to determine dominance, with the strongest male becoming the head of the mob. ( A group of kangaroos is called a mob.) They prefer to eat leaves and tree bark over grass, if available. In captivity, they are fed a pelleted grain (like a horse or cattle feed) and some fruits and vegetables like bananas or apples, and hay. In captivity, they can live to around 20 years, but are lucky to survive even 10 years in the wild.
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Slightly smaller than red or western grey kangaroos, Eastern grey 'roos have steel-grey fur of a coarser, curlier texture. Eastern and Western grey kangaroos are two distinct species, and they are visibly and behaviorally dissimilar. As their name implies, Eastern greys live in the eastern third of Australia. Western greys live in the south and western two thirds of the continent.These joeys live outside of the pouch, but sticks their head inside the pouch to nurse.
Most of the information provided can be found in The Vertebrate Body, sixth edition by Romer and Parsons published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers, 1990
