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Kangaroo Island Kangaroo

Macropus fuliginosus

Description:

The Kangaroo Island kangaroo is found only on Kangaroo Island, off the South Australian Coast. With no natural predators, the kangaroos are the slowest moving kangaroo species. They are closely related to the western grey kangaroo on the nearby mainland, but are typically smaller and sturdier. Their fur is often a darker brown colour and thicker than their mainland relatives. They have dark-brown to black tipped paws and feet. Females grow to 1.5 metres and males to 2 metres.

Habitat:

Kangaroo Island, in thick scrubland and open grassland. They spend most of the day sheltering under scrub, coming out to graze in the early morning and late afternoon in grassy areas, often in small groups.

Notes:

Diet: Grass, herbs and leaves. The kangaroos on the island are so gentle and tame that people sometimes feed them. Human food can be very bad for them, disrupting their digestion and causing malnutrition and poor health. Reproduction: Kangaroo Island kangaroos can breed at any time of year. A single joey is kept in the pouch and after 7-9 months, the female breeds again. If a new joey is born a month later, the older joey leaves the pouch but continues to suckle until it is 18 months old. At 20 months the kangaroos are mature and can start breeding. Saw this lovely kangaroo at the Victor Harbour wildlife park (Urimbirra) My information for this sighting came from: http://www.reptilepark.com.au/animalprof...

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7 Comments

sarahaw1981
sarahaw1981 10 years ago

I did think of that Mark but I couldn't tell if it's eyes were red and they did not have any info up about this fellow except that they were KI Kangaroos, so I thought it best not to say albino or leucistic as I'm not sure. Would of being nice if they did have a little something though!

sarahaw1981
sarahaw1981 10 years ago

Thank you Larry :-)

LarryGraziano
LarryGraziano 10 years ago

Nice spotting and information!

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 10 years ago

I've never heard of these. Thanks Sara. He's probably leucistic not albino. Did they say anything about him at the park?

sarahaw1981
sarahaw1981 10 years ago

Thanks guys! :-)

the reptile man
the reptile man 10 years ago

nice albino.

keithp2012
keithp2012 10 years ago

Love the white color!

sarahaw1981
Spotted by
sarahaw1981

Victor Harbor, South Australia, Australia

Spotted on Nov 16, 2013
Submitted on Nov 17, 2013

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