In: Biology
Introduction
Kangaroos are commonly found in Australia. Their presence is larger in number than the human population. Kangaroo is called as the national animal of Australia. They eat grasses, leaves, and insects. Female kangaroos are marsupials and contain a pouch along with mammary glands to feed young kangaroos, the baby kangaroo lives in their mother´s pouch until they become old enough to live on their own.
Kangaroos are social in nature. They live in groups of at least 3 or 4 individuals called a mob. Some groups even have around 100 individuals. In this way, they protect each other from other predators. If they encounter any dangerous situations, they create an alert for others by stomping their foot on the ground. They fall back on their strong tail and box using their hind legs.
Musky rat-kangaroo is the smallest kangaroo. It has a rat-like tail which is about 12.7 to 15.24 cm to its length. They are about 15.24 to 20.32 cm in length and 340 grams in weight. They have an excellent hearing ability. They are able to move their ears in different directions without head or body movements. They travel by means of hopping and it helps them to reach large distances for food and water.
Conclusion
Kangaroos have not became an endangered species. There are many threats that make them vulnerable to human activities, including hunting for their meat and skin. Global warming is also posing a serious threat to their food resources. The most effective approach to conserve these animals is always to start with what personal level initiative can be done to effectively overcome these problems.