Are there different types of kangaroos?

Answer 1

There is only one type of koala (Phascolarctus Cinereus),and some disagreement about whether there are two or three sub-species, or indeed, whether there are any sub-species at all.

According to the Australian Koala Foundation, the generally accepted sub-species are:

• Phascolarctos Cinereus adustus - Northern Australia/Queensland
• Phascolarctos Cinereus cinereus - Intermediate/New South Wales
• Phascolarctos Cinereus victor - Southern/Victorian

The Southern/Victorian variety has also been introduced into South Australia and small protected areas of Western Australia.

Koalas of the southern varieties are larger than their northern counterparts, while their fur also tends to be thicker, darker and more brown than grey. Southern koalas can grow to 820 mm and 15 kg for males and 730 mm and 11 kg for females.

Koalas which live in the north can grow to 740 mm and 9 kg for males and 720 mm and 7.25 kg for females.

Answer 2

There are about 65 types of kangaroo. All but the tree-kangaroos are native to Australia alone.

There are many varieties of kangaroo which come under the heading of "macropod". Members of the macropod family are characterised by their big feet ("macropod" means "great-footed"), their front pouches, and the fact that they move primarily by hopping.

There are three main species that are commonly called kangaroo. These are:

• The Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) - This is the largest marsupial in the world and the most common in Australia.
• The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) - This species ranges over the fertile eastern part of the continent.
• The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) - This species is found in the southern part of west Australia, near the coast of south Australia and the Darling River basin.

Other species of kangaroos are smaller, and they include:

• Wallabies, including different species of rock-wallaby, brush wallaby and swamp wallaby
• Quokkas, once thought to be a type of wallaby, but now regarded as another separate group
• Musky-rat kangaroo (the smallest of all kangaroos)
• Tree kangaroos, which live in trees, although they can easily jump to the ground from 6m up and escape along the ground if threatened. There are numerous species of tree-kangaroos. They have shorter hind legs and a long, non-prehensile tail which they use as a rudder for jumping between tree branches. They are the only type also found in New Guinea.
• Pademelons, which are the smallest of the macropod family. There are many different varities of pademelons.
• Wallaroos and euros, which come in between wallabies and kangaroos in size. They are characterised by a more thickset body, and are darker around the snout.

Then there are the potoroids - a sub-species of the kangaroo family. Examples include:

• Rat-kangaroos, which look like oversized rats around the face and ears. There are various species of these, such as the Musky rat-kangaroo and the Rufous rat-kangaroo. Rat kangaroos are different to the kangaroo-rats of North America, and not at all related.
• Potoroos, which are small and quite endangered. Gilbert's Potoroo is the most threatened marsupial species in Australia.
• Bettongs which, like the potoroo, are sometimes included in with the rat-kangaroos. They are quite small, usually weighing only a couple of kilograms when mature.

Some specific species (not all) are listed below, excluding the extinct species. The rat kangaroos, potoroos and bettongs are also not represented below:

1. Lumholtz's Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi
2. Grizzled Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus inustus
3. Bennett's Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus bennettianus
4. Ursine Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus ursinus
5. Matschie's Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus matschiei
6. Doria's Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus dorianus
7. Goodfellow's Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus goodfellowi
8. Lowlands Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus spadix
9. Golden-mantled Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus pulcherrimus
10. Seri's Tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus stellarum
11. Dingiso, Dendrolagus mbaiso
12. Tenkile, Dendrolagus scottae
13. Brown Dorcopsis, Dorcopsis muelleri
14. White-striped Dorcopsis, Dorcopsis hageni
15. Black Dorcopsis, Dorcopsis atrata
16. Gray Dorcopsis, Dorcopsis luctuosa
17. Small Dorcopsis, Dorcopsulus vanheurni
18. Macleay's Dorcopsis, Dorcopsulus macleayi
19. Spectacled Hare-wallaby, Lagorchestes conspicillatus
20. Rufous Hare-wallaby, Lagorchestes hirsutus
21. Agile Wallaby, Macropus agilis
22. Black-striped Wallaby, Macropus dorsalis
23. Tammar Wallaby, Macropus eugenii
24. Western Brush Wallaby, Macropus irma
25. Parma Wallaby, Macropus parma
26. Pretty-faced Wallaby, Macropus parryi
27. Red-necked Wallaby, Macropus rufogriseus
28. Woodward's Wallaroo, Macropus bernadus
29. Eastern Wallaroo, Macropus robustus
30. Bridled Nail-tail Wallaby, Onychogalea fraenata
31. Northern Nail-tail Wallaby, Onychogalea unguifera
32. Short-eared Rock-wallaby, Petrogale brachyotis
33. Monjon, Petrogale burbidgei
34. Nabarlek, Petrogale concinna
35. Proserpine Rock-wallaby, Petrogale persephone
36. Rothschild's Rock-wallaby, Petrogale rothschildi
37. Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby, Petrogale xanthopus
38. Allied Rock-wallaby, Petrogale assimilis
39. Cape York Rock-wallaby, Petrogale coenensis
40. Godman's Rock-wallaby, Petrogale godmani
41. Herbert's Rock-wallaby, Petrogale herberti
42. Unadorned Rock-wallaby, Petrogale inornata
43. Black-flanked Rock-wallaby, Petrogale lateralis
44. Mareeba Rock-wallaby, Petrogale mareeba
45. Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, Petrogale penicillata
46. Purple-necked Rock-wallaby, Petrogale purpureicollis
47. Mt. Claro Rock-wallaby, Petrogale sharmani
48. Quokka, Setonix brachyurus
49. Tasmanian Pademelon, Thylogale billardierii
50. Brown's Pademelon, Thylogale browni
51. Dusky Pademelon, Thylogale brunii
52. Calaby's Pademelon, Thylogale calabyi
53. Mountain Pademelon, Thylogale lanatus
54. Red-legged Pademelon, Thylogale stigmatica
55. Red-necked Pademelon, Thylogale thetis
56. Swamp Wallaby or Black Wallaby, Wallabia bicolor

Answer 3

Yes. There are known to be at least 65 species of kangaroos.

There are four main species that are commonly called kangaroo. These are:

• The Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) - This is the largest marsupial in the world and the most common in Australia.
• The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) - This species ranges over the fertile eastern part of the continent.
• The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) - This species is found in the southern part of west Australia, near the coast of South Australia and the Darling River basin.

Other species of kangaroos are smaller, and they include:

• Wallabies, including different species of rock-wallaby, brush wallaby and swamp wallaby
• Quokkas, once thought to be a type of wallaby, but now regarded as another separate group
• Musky-rat kangaroo (the smallest of all kangaroos)
• Tree kangaroos, which live in trees, although they can easily jump to the ground from 6m up and escape along the ground if threatened. There are numerous species of tree-kangaroos. They have shorter hind legs and a long, non-prehensile tail which they use as a rudder for jumping between tree branches. They are the only type also found in New Guinea.
• Pademelons, which are the smallest of the macropod family. There are many different varities of pademelons.
• Wallaroos and euros, which come in between wallabies and kangaroos in size. They are characterised by a more thickset body, and are darker around the snout.

Then there are the potoroids - a sub-species of the kangaroo family. Examples include:

• Rat-kangaroos, which look like oversized rats around the face and ears. There are various species of these, such as the Musky rat-kangaroo and the Rufous rat-kangaroo. Rat kangaroos are different to the kangaroo-rats of North America, and not at all related.
• Potoroos, which are small and quite endangered. Gilbert's Potoroo is the most threatened marsupial species in Australia.
• Bettongs which, like the potoroo, are sometimes included in with the rat-kangaroos. They are quite small, usually weighing only a couple of kilograms when mature.

Answer 4

There are about 63 types of kangaroo in Australia. All but the tree-kangaroos are native to Australia alone.

There are many varieties of kangaroo which come under the heading of "macropod". Members of the macropod family are characterised by their big feet ("macropod" means "great-footed"), their front pouches, and the fact that they move primarily by hopping.

There are three main species that are commonly called kangaroo. These are:

• The Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) - This is the largest marsupial in the world and the most common in Australia.
• The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) - This species ranges over the fertile eastern part of the continent.
• The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) - This species is found in the southern part of west Australia, near the coast of South Australia and the Darling River basin.

Other species of kangaroos are smaller, and they include:

• Wallabies, including different species of rock-wallaby, brush wallaby and swamp wallaby
• Quokkas, once thought to be a type of wallaby, but now regarded as another separate group
• Musky-rat kangaroo (the smallest of all kangaroos)
• Tree kangaroos, which live in trees, although they can easily jump to the ground from 6m up and escape along the ground if threatened. There are numerous species of tree-kangaroos. They have shorter hind legs and a long, non-prehensile tail which they use as a rudder for jumping between tree branches. They are the only type also found in New Guinea.
• Pademelons, which are the smallest of the macropod family. There are many different varities of pademelons.
• Wallaroos and euros, which come in between wallabies and kangaroos in size. They are characterised by a more thickset body, and are darker around the snout.

Then there are the potoroids - a sub-species of the kangaroo family. Examples include:

• Rat-kangaroos, which look like oversized rats around the face and ears. There are various species of these, such as the Musky rat-kangaroo and the Rufous rat-kangaroo. Rat kangaroos are different to the kangaroo-rats of North America, and not at all related.
• Potoroos, which are small and quite endangered. Gilbert's Potoroo is the most threatened marsupial species in Australia.
• Bettongs which, like the potoroo, are sometimes included in with the rat-kangaroos. They are quite small, usually weighing only a couple of kilograms when mature.

Answer 5

There are about 63 types of kangaroo, and so sizes vary tremendously.

There are many varieties of kangaroo which come under the heading of "macropod". Members of the macropod family are characterised by their big feet ("macropod" means "great-footed"), their front pouches, and the fact that they move primarily by hopping.

There are four main species that are commonly called kangaroo. These are:

• The Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) - This is the largest marsupial in the world and the most common in Australia. Red kangaroos can weigh up to 90 kilograms, but average 65kg, with the female considerably lighter at around 30kg. The height of a Red kangaroo averages between 165cm and 2 metres.
• The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) - This species ranges over the fertile eastern part of the continent.
• The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) - This species is found in the southern part of west Australia, near the coast of south Australia and the Darling River basin.
• The Antilopine Kangaroo (Macropus antilopinus) - This species is found in the far north of Australia. They inhabit grassy plains and woodlands.

Other species of kangaroos are smaller, and they include:

• Wallabies, including different species of rock-wallaby, brush wallaby and swamp wallaby
• Quokkas, once thought to be a type of wallaby, but now regarded as another separate group
• Musky-rat kangaroo (the smallest of all kangaroos)
• Tree kangaroos, which live in trees, although they can easily jump to the ground from 6m up and escape along the ground if threatened. There are numerous species of tree-kangaroos. They have shorter hind legs and a long, non-prehensile tail which they use as a rudder for jumping between tree branches. They are the only type also found in New Guinea.
• Pademelons, which are the smallest of the macropod family. There are many different varities of pademelons.
• Wallaroos and euros, which come in between wallabies and kangaroos in size. They are characterised by a more thickset body, and are darker around the snout.

Then there are the potoroids - a sub-species of the kangaroo family. Examples include:

• Rat-kangaroos, which look like oversized rats around the face and ears. There are various species of these, such as the Musky rat-kangaroo and the Rufous rat-kangaroo. Rat kangaroos are different to the kangaroo-rats of North America, and not at all related. The musky rat-kangaroo is the smallest of all the kangaroo species, with an average length of 23 centimetres.
• Potoroos, which are small and quite endangered. Gilbert's Potoroo is the most threatened marsupial species in Australia.
• Bettongs which, like the potoroo, are sometimes included in with the rat-kangaroos. They are quite small, usually weighing only a couple of kilograms when mature.

Answer 6

There are at least 65 recognised and described species of kangaroo, and they all come under the heading of "macropod". Members of the macropod family are characterised by their big feet ("macropod" means "great-footed"), their front pouches, and the fact that they move primarily by hopping.

There are three main species that are commonly called kangaroo. These are:

• The Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) - This is the largest marsupial in the world and the most common in Australia.
• The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) - This species ranges over the fertile eastern part of the continent.
• The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) - This species is found in the southern part of west Australia, near the coast of South Australia and the Darling River basin.

Other species of kangaroos are smaller, and they include:

• Wallabies, including different species of rock-wallaby, brush wallaby and swamp wallaby
• Quokkas, once thought to be a type of wallaby, but now regarded as another separate group
• Musky-rat kangaroo (the smallest of all kangaroos)
• Tree kangaroos, which live in trees, although they can easily jump to the ground from 6m up and escape along the ground if threatened. There are numerous species of tree-kangaroos. They have shorter hind legs and a long, non-prehensile tail which they use as a rudder for jumping between tree branches. They are the only type also found in New Guinea.
• Pademelons, which are the smallest of the macropod family. There are many different varities of pademelons.
• Wallaroos and euros, which come in between wallabies and kangaroos in size. They are characterised by a more thickset body, and are darker around the snout.

Then there are the potoroids - a sub-species of the kangaroo family. Examples include:

• Rat-kangaroos, which look like oversized rats around the face and ears. There are various species of these, such as the Musky rat-kangaroo and the Rufous rat-kangaroo. Rat kangaroos are different to the kangaroo-rats of North America, and not at all related.
• Potoroos, which are small and quite endangered. Gilbert's Potoroo is the most threatened marsupial species in Australia.
• Bettongs which, like the potoroo, are sometimes included in with the rat-kangaroos. They are quite small, usually weighing only a couple of kilograms when mature.

Answer 7

The main differences seen between various kangaroo species are the size, habitat and the markings/colouring of their fur.

For example, the largest of the kangaroos is the Red kangaroo, with a height averaging between 165cm and 2 metres. The smallest kangaroo is the musky rat-kangaroo, with an average length of 23 centimetres. All other species range in between these two.

Regarding fur colour, between the species it varies from reddish-brown to grey, with some having darker extremities (feet, nose, tail), such as the wallaroo. Some wallabies have quite striking markings on their face or flanks, which distinguish them from other species.

Tree kangaroos are quite different from other kangaroo species. They tend to have black faces and black paws, are are lighter on their underbelly. Their back is dark, ranging from a vivid dusky orange or rusty red to brown to dark grey, depending on the species. They have a long, cylindrical non-prehensile tail, which is used as a rudder as they jump from branch to branch in the trees. Their tail is about as long as their body. They have larger forelegs and smaller hindlegs than kangaroos and wallabies, and shorter, rounded ears compared to their ground-dwelling counterparts.

Kangaroo habitats vary widely, from rainforests, to semi-arid plains, to grasslands and thick bushland. Some species such as the Grey kangaroo are coastal-dwellers, even swimming out to islands regularly.

Answer 8

Kangaroos are kangaroos, and there are over sixty species. Besides the larger kangaroos, some of these species include wallabies, wallaroos, potoroos, pademelons and tree-kangaroos.