Kangaroos[1]
Female Eastern Grey Kangaroo with joey
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Subclass: Marsupialia Order: Diprotodontia Suborder: Macropodiformes Family: Macropodidae Genus: Macropus in part
Species
Macropus rufus Macropus giganteus Macropus fuliginosus Macropus antilopinus

A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae (macropods, meaning 'large foot'). The Eastern Grey Kangaroo ( Macropus giganteus) is a Marsupial found in southern and eastern Australia, with a population of several million A joey is any infant Marsupial. Marsupials have an extremely short Gestation period and the joey is 'born' basically in a fetal state Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands Marsupials are an Infraclass of Mammals characterized by a distinctive pouch (called the marsupium) in which females carry their young through Diprotodontia (Greek meaning "two front teeth" is a large order of about 120 Marsupial mammals including the Kangaroos Macropodiformes is one of the three Suborders of the large Marsupial order Diprotodontia. Macropods are Marsupials belonging to the family Macropodidae, which includes Kangaroos wallabies, Tree-kangaroos Pademelons Macropus is a Marsupial genus that belongs to the family Macropodidae, it has 14 species which are further divided into 3 subgenera The Red Kangaroo ( Macropus rufus) is the largest of all Kangaroos the largest Mammal native to Australia, and the largest surviving The Eastern Grey Kangaroo ( Macropus giganteus) is a Marsupial found in southern and eastern Australia, with a population of several million The Western Grey Kangaroo ( Macropus fuliginosus) is a large and very common Macropod, found across almost the entire southern part of Australia, from just The Antilopine Kangaroo ( Macropus antilopinus) sometimes called the Antilopine Wallaroo or the Antilopine Wallaby, is a species of Macropod Marsupials are an Infraclass of Mammals characterized by a distinctive pouch (called the marsupium) in which females carry their young through Macropods are Marsupials belonging to the family Macropodidae, which includes Kangaroos wallabies, Tree-kangaroos Pademelons In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, the Red Kangaroo, the Antilopine Kangaroo, and the Eastern and Western Grey Kangaroo of the Macropus genus. In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. The Red Kangaroo ( Macropus rufus) is the largest of all Kangaroos the largest Mammal native to Australia, and the largest surviving The Antilopine Kangaroo ( Macropus antilopinus) sometimes called the Antilopine Wallaroo or the Antilopine Wallaby, is a species of Macropod The Eastern Grey Kangaroo ( Macropus giganteus) is a Marsupial found in southern and eastern Australia, with a population of several million The Western Grey Kangaroo ( Macropus fuliginosus) is a large and very common Macropod, found across almost the entire southern part of Australia, from just Macropus is a Marsupial genus that belongs to the family Macropodidae, it has 14 species which are further divided into 3 subgenera The family also includes many smaller species which include the wallabies, tree-kangaroos, wallaroos, pademelons and the Quokka, some 63 living species in all. A wallaby is any of about thirty species of Macropod (Family Macropodidae Tree-kangaroos are Macropods adapted for life in trees They are found in the Rainforests of New Guinea, far northeastern Queensland, and A wallaroo is any of three closely related species of moderately large Macropod, intermediate in size between the Kangaroos and the wallabies. A pademelon is any of seven species of small Marsupials of the Genus Thylogale. The Quokka ( Setonix brachyurus) the only member of the genus Setonix, is a small Macropod about the size of a large domestic cat ^[1] Kangaroos are endemic to the continent of Australia, while the smaller macropods are found in Australia and New Guinea. Endemism is the Ecological state of being unique to a place Endemic species are not naturally found elsewhere A continent is one of several large Landmasses on Earth. They are generally identified by Convention rather than any strict criteria with seven regions New Guinea, located just north of Australia, is the world's second largest island, having become separated from the Australian mainland when the area now known

In general, larger kangaroos have adapted much better to changes wrought to the Australian landscape by humans and though many of their smaller cousins are endangered, they are plentiful. They are not farmed to any extent, but wild kangaroos are shot for meat. Kangaroo is a meat from any of the species of Kangaroo. It is produced in Australia from wild animals and is exported to over 55 countries worldwide Although there is some controversy, harvesting kangaroos for meat has many environmental and health benefits over other meats. ^[2]

The kangaroo is an Australian icon: it is featured on the Australian coat of arms,^[3] on some of its currency,^[4] and is used by many Australian organisations, including Qantas. The Coat of Arms of Australia (formally known as Commonwealth Coat of Arms) is the official symbol of Australia. Australian coins refers to the Coins which are or were in use as Australian Currency. Qantas Airways Limited (ˈkwɔntəs ( is the National airline of Australia. ^[5]

Contents 1 Terminology 2 Overview 3 Description 4 Behaviour 4.1 Diet 4.2 Absence of digestive methane release 4.3 Predators 4.4 Adaptations 4.5 Kangaroo blindness 5 Interaction with humans 5.1 Conflict with vehicles 5.2 Hand-raising 6 Kangaroo emblems and popular culture 7 References 8 Footnotes 9 See also 10 External links

Terminology

The word kangaroo derives from the Guugu Yimidhirr word gangurru, referring to a grey kangaroo. Guugu Yimithirr (many other spellings see below is an Australian Aboriginal language, the traditional language of the Guugu Yimithirr people of Far North ^[6] The name was first recorded as "Kangooroo or Kanguru" on 4 August 1770, by Lieutenant (later Captain) James Cook on the banks of the Endeavour River at the site of modern Cooktown, when HM Bark Endeavour was beached for almost seven weeks to repair damage sustained on the Great Barrier Reef. Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1770 ( MDCCLXX) was a Common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Friday Lieutenant (abbreviated Lt or Lieut) is a Military, Naval, Paramilitary, Fire service, Emergency medical services For information specifically on the Royal Navy rank of captain see Captain (Royal Navy. Captain James Cook FRS RN ( – 14 February 1779) was an English Explorer, Navigator and The Endeavour River ( Guugu Yimithirr: Wabalumbaal) on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Australia, was named in 1770 Cooktown ( Guugu Yimithirr: Gangaarr) is the northernmost town on the east coast of Australia, located at the mouth of the Endeavour River, Construction The Endeavour was originally a merchant collier named Earl of Pembroke, launched in June 1764 from the coal and whaling port of Whitby in The Great Barrier Reef is the largest Coral reef system in the world composed of over 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2600 kilometres (1600 mi ^[7]

A common myth about the kangaroo's English name is that it came from the Aboriginal words for "I don't understand you. " According to this legend, Captain James Cook and naturalist Sir Joseph Banks were exploring Australia when they happened upon the animal. An urban legend or urban myth is a form of modern Folklore consisting of stories thought to be factual by those circulating them Captain James Cook FRS RN ( – 14 February 1779) was an English Explorer, Navigator and Sir Joseph Banks 1st Baronet, GCB, PRS (13 February 1743 &ndash 19 June 1820 was an English naturalist, botanist and patron of They asked a nearby local what the creatures were called. The local responded "Kangaroo", meaning "I don't understand you", which Cook took to be the name of the creature. This myth was debunked in the 1970s by linguist John B. Haviland. ^[8]

Male kangaroos are called bucks, boomers, jacks, or old men; females are does, flyers, or jills, and the young ones are joeys. A joey is any infant Marsupial. Marsupials have an extremely short Gestation period and the joey is 'born' basically in a fetal state ^[9] The collective noun for kangaroos is a mob, troop, or court. In Linguistics, a collective noun is a word used to define a group of objects where "objects" can be People, Animals Inanimate things Kangaroos are often colloquially referred to as roos. ^[10]

Overview

There are four species that are commonly referred to as kangaroos:

• The Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) is the largest surviving marsupial anywhere in the world. Marsupials are an Infraclass of Mammals characterized by a distinctive pouch (called the marsupium) in which females carry their young through Fewer in numbers, the Red Kangaroo occupies the arid and semi-arid centre of the continent. A large male can be 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) tall and weigh 90 kg (200 lb). ^[11]
• The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is less well-known than the red (outside of Australia), but the most often seen, as its range covers the fertile eastern part of the continent.
• The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) is slightly smaller again at about 54 kg (119 lb) for a large male. It is found in the southern part of Western Australia, South Australia near the coast, and the Darling River basin. Western Australia is a state occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country The Darling River is the third longest river in Australia, flowing 1390 km from northern New South Wales to its confluence with the Murray River at
• The Antilopine Kangaroo (Macropus antilopinus) is, essentially, the far-northern equivalent of the Eastern and Western Grey Kangaroos. Like them, it is a creature of the grassy plains and woodlands, and gregarious.

In addition, there are about 50 smaller macropods closely related to the kangaroo in the family Macropodidae. Macropods are Marsupials belonging to the family Macropodidae, which includes Kangaroos wallabies, Tree-kangaroos Pademelons

Description

Europeans have long regarded kangaroos as strange animals. The Red Kangaroo ( Macropus rufus) is the largest of all Kangaroos the largest Mammal native to Australia, and the largest surviving Early explorers described them as creatures that had heads like deer (without antlers), stood upright like men, and hopped like frogs. Combined with the two-headed appearance of a mother kangaroo, this led many back home to dismiss them as travellers' tales for quite some time. The first kangaroo to be exhibited in the western world was an example shot by John Gore, an officer on Captain Cook's Endeavour in 1770. Captain John Gore (d1790 was an American sailor who circumnavigated the globe four times with the Royal Navy in the 18th century and accompanied Captain James ^[12][13] The animal was shot and its skin and skull transported back to England whereupon it was stuffed (by taxidermists who had never seen the animal before) and displayed to the general public as a curiosity. Taxidermy ( Greek for "skin arrangement" is the art of mounting or reproducing Animals for display (e

Kangaroos have large, powerful hind legs, large feet adapted for leaping, a long muscular tail for balance, and a small head. The tail is the section at the rear end of an Animal 's Body; in general the term refers to a distinct flexible Appendage to the Torso. Like all marsupials, female kangaroos have a pouch called a marsupium in which joeys complete postnatal development. Marsupials are an Infraclass of Mammals characterized by a distinctive pouch (called the marsupium) in which females carry their young through The pouch is a distinguishing feature of female Marsupials the name marsupial is derived from the Latin Marsupium, meaning pouch Postnatal ( Latin for 'after birth' from post meaning "after" and natalis meaning "of birth" is the period beginning immediately after

Behaviour

Kangaroos are the only large animals to use hopping as a means of locomotion. In Biomechanics, animal locomotion is the study of how Animals move. The comfortable hopping speed for Red Kangaroo is about 20–25 km/h (13–16 mph), but speeds of up to 70 km/h (44 mph) can be attained, over short distances, while it can sustain a speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) for nearly two kilometres. (For the South African airport with IATA code "KMH" see Johan Pienaar Airport. ^[14] This fast and energy-efficient method of travel has evolved because of the need to regularly cover large distances in search of food and water, rather than the need to escape predators.

Because of its long feet, it cannot walk correctly. To move at slow speeds, it uses its tail to form a tripod with its two forelimbs. A forelimb is an Anterior (front-most limb (arm leg or similar appendage on an Animal 's body It then raises its hind feet forward, in a form of locomotion called "crawl-walking. "^[14]

The average life expectancy of a kangaroo is about 4–6 years. Life expectancy is the average number of years of life remaining at a given age ^[15]

Diet

Different species of kangaroos eat different diets. Eastern grey kangaroos are predominantly grazers eating a wide variety of grasses whereas some other species (e. g. red kangaroos and swamp wallabies) include significant amounts of shrubs in the diet. The smaller species of kangaroos also consume hypogeal fungi. Many species are nocturnal^[16] and crepuscular,^[17] usually spending the days resting in shade and the cool evenings, nights and mornings moving about and feeding. As an Animal behavior, nocturnality describes sleeping during the Daytime and being active at Night - the opposite of the diurnal Crepuscular is a term used to describe animals that are primarily active during Twilight, hence at Dawn and at Dusk.

Because of its grazing, kangaroos have developed specialized teeth. Its incisors are able to crop grass close to the ground, and its molars chop and grind the grass. Since the two sides of the lower jaw are not joined together, the lower incisors are farther apart, giving the kangaroo a wider bite. The silica in grass is abrasive, so kangaroo molars move forward as they are ground down, and eventually fall out, replaced by new teeth that grow in the back. The Chemical compound silicon dioxide, also known as silica or silox (from the Latin " Silex " is an Oxide ^[14]

Absence of digestive methane release

Despite having a herbivorous diet similar to ruminants such as cattle which release large quantities of methane through exhaling and eructation, kangaroos release virtually none. Physiologically a ruminant is a Mammal of the order Artiodactyla that digests plant-based food by initially softening it within the animal's first stomach known Methane is a Chemical compound with the molecular formula. It is the simplest Alkane, and the principal component of Natural gas. Breathing takes Oxygen in and Carbon dioxide out of the body Aerobic Organisms require oxygen to create energy via respiration, in The hydrogen byproduct of fermentation is instead converted into acetate, which is then used to provide further energy. Scientists are interested in the possibility of transferring the bacteria responsible from kangaroos to cattle, since the greenhouse gas effect of methane is 23 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases are gaseous constituents of the atmosphere bothnatural and anthropogenic that absorb and emit radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of thermal infrared Carbon dioxide ( Chemical formula:) is a Chemical compound composed of two Oxygen Atoms covalently bonded to a single ^[18]

Predators

Kangaroos have few natural predators. The Thylacine, considered by palaeontologists to have once been a major natural predator of the kangaroo, is now extinct. The Thylacine (ˈθaɪləsaɪn -iːn ( Thylacinus cynocephalus Latin wolf-headed pouched dog was the largest known carnivorous Marsupial of modern In Biology and Ecology, extinction is the cessation of existence of a Species or group of taxa. Other extinct predators included the Marsupial Lion, Megalania and the Wonambi. In Biology and Ecology, extinction is the cessation of existence of a Species or group of taxa. The Marsupial Lion ( Thylacoleo carnifex, the "murderous (or 'meat-cutting' marsupial lion" from thylakos - pouch leo - lion carnifex Megalania ("great roamer" Greek Μέγας "great" + ἀλαίνω "roam" the giant goanna is an Extinct giant However, with the arrival of humans in Australia at least 50,000 years ago and the introduction of the dingo about 5,000 years ago, kangaroos have had to adapt. Description Appearance Adult dingoes are typically 48–58 cm (19–23 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh on average 23–32 kgs (50–70 pounds though specimens The mere barking of a dog can set a full-grown male boomer into a wild frenzy. Wedge-tailed Eagles and other raptors usually eat kangaroo carrion. Goannas and other carnivorous reptiles also pose a danger to smaller kangaroo species when other food sources are lacking. Goanna is the name used to refer to any number of Australian Monitor lizards of the genus Varanus, as well as to certain species from Southeast Reptiles, or members of the class Reptilia are air-breathing Cold-blooded Vertebrates that have skin covered in scales as opposed to hair or feathers

Along with dingos and other canids, introduced species like foxes and feral cats also pose a threat to kangaroo populations. The Canidae (ˈkænədiː ′kanə′dē family is a part of the order Carnivora within the Mammals (Class Mammalia Invasive species are a serious threat to the native Biodiversity of Australia and are an ongoing cost to Australian agriculture. A fox is an Animal belonging to any one of about 27 Species (of which only 12 actually belong to the Vulpes genus or 'true foxes' of small A feral cat (or stray cat, alley cat) is a Cat which has been separated from Domestication through abandonment loss or running away and becomes Kangaroos and wallabies are adept swimmers, and often flee into waterways if presented with the option. Swimming is the movement by humans or animals through Water, usually without artificial assistance If pursued into the water, a large kangaroo may use its forepaws to hold the predator underwater so as to drown it. Drowning is Death as caused by suffocation when a liquid causes interruption of the body's absorption of oxygen from the air leading to Asphyxia. ^[19] Another defensive tactic described by witnesses is catching the attacking dog with the forepaws and disembowelling it with the hind legs. A tactic is a conceptual action used by a military unit of no larger than a division to implement a specific mission and achieve a specific objective or to advance toward a Disembowelment ( evisceration) is the removing of some or all of the vital organs usually from the Abdomen.

Adaptations

Kangaroos have developed a number of adaptations to a dry, infertile continent and highly variable climate. As with all marsupials, the young are born at a very early stage of development – after a gestation of 31–36 days. Marsupials are an Infraclass of Mammals characterized by a distinctive pouch (called the marsupium) in which females carry their young through Gestation is the carrying of an Embryo or Fetus inside a Female Viviparous Animal. At this stage, only the forelimbs are somewhat developed, to allow the newborn to climb to the pouch and attach to a teat. The pouch is a distinguishing feature of female Marsupials the name marsupial is derived from the Latin Marsupium, meaning pouch Teat is an alternative word for the Nipple of a Mammary gland, in humans referred to as a Breast, from which Milk is discharged In comparison, a human embryo at a similar stage of development would be about seven weeks old, and premature babies born at less than 23 weeks are usually not mature enough to survive. An embryo (from Greek:, plural, lit "that which grows" from en- "in" + bryein "to swell be full" is a multicellular Premature birth (also known as preterm birth) is the Birth of a Baby before the standard period of Pregnancy is completed When the joey is born, it is about the size of a lima bean. The joey will usually stay in the pouch for about nine months (180–320 days for the Western Grey) before starting to leave the pouch for small periods of time. It is usually fed by its mother until reaching 18 months.

The female kangaroo is usually pregnant in permanence, except on the day she gives birth; however, she has the ability to freeze the development of an embryo until the previous joey is able to leave the pouch. Pregnancy ( Latin graviditas) is the carrying of one or more offspring known as a Fetus or Embryo, inside the Uterus of a Female A joey is any infant Marsupial. Marsupials have an extremely short Gestation period and the joey is 'born' basically in a fetal state This is known as diapause, and will occur in times of drought and in areas with poor food sources. Embryonic diapause or Delayed implantation is a reproductive strategy used by close to 100 different Mammals in seven different orders. The composition of the milk produced by the mother varies according to the needs of the joey. Milk is an opaque white liquid produced by the Mammary glands of female Mammals (including Monotremes. In addition, the mother is able to produce two different kinds of milk simultaneously for the newborn and the older joey still in the pouch.

Unusually, during a dry period, males will not produce sperm, and females will only conceive if there has been enough rain to produce a large quantity of green vegetation. ^[20]

Kangaroos and wallabies have large, stretchy tendons in their hind legs. They store elastic strain energy in the tendons of their large hind legs, providing most of the energy required for each hop by the spring action of the tendons rather than by any muscular effort. A tendon (or sinew) is a tough band of Fibrous connective tissue that usually connects Muscle to Bone and is capable of withstanding tension This is true in all animal species which have muscles connected to their skeleton through elastic elements such as tendons, but the effect is more pronounced in kangaroos.

There is also a link between the hopping action and breathing: as the feet leave the ground, air is expelled from the lungs; bringing the feet forward ready for landing refills the lungs, providing further energy efficiency. Studies of kangaroos and wallabies have demonstrated that, beyond the minimum energy expenditure required to hop at all, increased speed requires very little extra effort (much less than the same speed increase in, say, a horse, dog or human), and that the extra energy is required to carry extra weight. For kangaroos, the key benefit of hopping is not speed to escape predators—the top speed of a kangaroo is no higher than that of a similarly-sized quadruped, and the Australian native predators are in any case less fearsome than those of other continents—but economy: in an infertile continent with highly variable weather patterns, the ability of a kangaroo to travel long distances at moderately high speed in search of food sources is crucial to survival.

A sequencing project of the Kangaroo genome was started in 2004 as a collaboration between Australia (mainly funded by the state of Victoria) and the National Institutes of Health in the US. For the sense of "sequencing" used in Electronic music, see the Music sequencer article In classical genetics the genome of a Diploid Organism including Eukarya refers to a full set of chromosomes or genes in a Gamete, thereby "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. "NIH" redirects here For other meanings of NIH see NIH (disambiguation. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[21] The genome of a marsupial such as the kangaroo is of great interest to scientists studying comparative genomics because marsupials are at an ideal degree of evolutionary divergence from humans: mice are too close and haven't developed many different functions, while birds are genetically too remote. Comparative genomics is the study of the relationship of Genome structure and function across different biological Species or strains. A mouse (plural mice) is a small Animal that belongs to one Birds ( class Aves) are bipedal endothermic ( Warm-blooded) Vertebrate animals that lay eggs. The dairy industry has also expressed some interest in this project.

Kangaroo blindness

Eye disease is rare but not new among kangaroos. The first official report of kangaroo blindness took place in 1994, in central New South Wales. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) The following year, reports of blind kangaroos appeared in Victoria and South Australia. South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country By 1996, the disease had spread "across the desert to Western Australia". Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Western Australia is a state occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. Australian authorities were concerned that the disease could spread to other livestock and possibly humans. Researchers at the Australian Animal Health Laboratories in Geelong detected a virus called the Wallal virus in two species of midge, believed to have been the carriers. MCite/Citephp.--> Geelong (dʒəˈlɔŋ is the second largest city in the state Midges comprise many kinds of very small two-winged flies The term does not encapsulate a well-defined taxonomic group but includes animals in several families of Nematoceran ^[22][23] Veterinarians also discovered that less than three percent of kangaroos exposed to the virus developed blindness. A veterinarian ( American English) or a Veterinary surgeon ( British English) often shortened to vet, is a Physician ^[24]

Interaction with humans

Before European settlement, the kangaroo was a very important animal for Australian Aborigines, for its meat, hide, bones and sinews. The European peoples are the various Nations and Ethnic groups of Europe. This is an article about a class of people as identified and defined within Australian law Kangaroo is a meat from any of the species of Kangaroo. It is produced in Australia from wild animals and is exported to over 55 countries worldwide A tendon (or sinew) is a tough band of Fibrous connective tissue that usually connects Muscle to Bone and is capable of withstanding tension In addition, there were important Dreaming stories and ceremonies involving the kangaroo. Dreaming is a common term among Indigenous Australians for a personal or group Creation and for what may be understood as the "timeless time" of formative Aherrenge is a current kangaroo dreaming site in the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the center of the mainland continent as well as the central northern regions The game of Marn grook was played using a ball made from kangaroo by the Kurnai people. Marn Grook (also spelt marngrook) literally meaning "Game ball" is the collective name given to a number of traditional Australian Aboriginal ball games The Gunai or Kurnai is one of the Aboriginal nations of Australia.

Unlike many of the smaller macropods, kangaroos have fared well since European settlement. The written history of Australia began when Dutch explorers first sighted the country in the 17th century European settlers cut down forests to create vast grasslands for sheep and cattle grazing, added stock watering points in arid areas, and have substantially reduced the number of dingoes. Cattle, colloquially referred to as cows, are domesticated Ungulates a member of the Subfamily Bovinae of the family Description Appearance Adult dingoes are typically 48–58 cm (19–23 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh on average 23–32 kgs (50–70 pounds though specimens

Kangaroos are shy and retiring by nature, and in normal circumstances present no threat to humans. Male kangaroos often "box" amongst each other, playfully, for dominance, or in competition for mates. The dexterity of their forepaws is utilised in both punching and grappling with the foe, but the real danger lies in a serious kick with the hindleg. The sharpened toenails can disembowel an opponent. A nail is a horn -like structure at the end of an animal's Finger or Toe.

There are very few records of kangaroos attacking humans without provocation; however, several such unprovoked attacks in 2004 spurred fears of a rabies-like disease possibly affecting the marsupials. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Rabies (from rabies “madness rage fury” Also known as “ hydrophobia ” is a viral Zoonotic neuroinvasive disease that The only reliably documented case of a fatality from a kangaroo attack occurred in New South Wales, in 1936. Year 1936 ( MCMXXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A hunter was killed when he tried to rescue his two dogs from a heated fray. Other suggested causes for erratic and dangerous kangaroo behaviour include extreme thirst and hunger.

In 2003, Lulu, an Eastern Grey, saved a farmer's life. She received the RSPCA National Animal Valor Award on May 19 of the next year. This article is about the original RSPCA in England and Wales ^[25][26][27]

Conflict with vehicles

A collision with a vehicle is capable of killing a kangaroo. Kangaroos dazzled by headlights or startled by engine noise have been known to leap in front of cars. Since kangaroos in mid-bound can reach speeds of around 50 km/h (31 mph) and are relatively heavy, the force of impact can be severe. Small vehicles may be destroyed, while larger vehicles may suffer engine damage. The risk of harm to vehicle occupants is greatly increased if the windscreen is the point of impact. The windshield or windscreen of an Aircraft, Automobile, Bus, Motorcycle, or Tram is the front Window As a result, "kangaroo crossing" signs are commonplace in Australia.

Vehicles that frequent isolated roads, where roadside assistance may be scarce, are often fitted with "roo bars" to minimise damage caused by collision. A bullbar (also roo bar or nudge bar in Australia) is a device fitted to the front of a vehicle to protect it and its passengers from damage in a collision Bonnet-mounted devices, designed to scare wildlife off the road with ultrasound and other methods, have been devised and marketed. The hood (North America or bonnet (Commonwealth is the Hinged cover over the Engine of Motor vehicles that allows access Not to be confused with Supersonic. Ultrasound is cyclic Sound pressure with a Frequency greater than the upper

If a female is the victim of a collision, animal welfare groups ask that her pouch be checked for any surviving joey, in which case it may be removed to a wildlife sanctuary or veterinary surgeon for rehabilitation. Wildlife rehabilitation is the process of removing from the wild and caring for injured orphaned or sick wild animals Likewise, when an adult kangaroo is injured in a collision, a vet, the RSPCA or the National Parks and Wildlife Service can be consulted for instructions on proper care. A veterinary surgeon is a Veterinarian qualified in the UK and some other English -speaking countries (See Commonwealth of Nations and Commonwealth The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia (RSPCA is an organisation in Australia that promotes animal welfare In New South Wales, rehabilitation of kangaroos is carried out by volunteers from WIRES. WIRES, the NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Service is the largest Wildlife rehabilitation charity in Australia.

Hand-raising

Occasionally, individuals take on the task of rearing a recovered joey themselves. The rule-of-thumb says that if the joey is already covered with fur at the time of the accident (as opposed to still being in its embryonic stage), it stands a good chance of growing up properly. A rule of thumb is a principle with broad application that is not intended to be strictly accurate or reliable for every situation Lactose-free milk is required, otherwise the animal may develop blindness. Lactose (also referred to as milk sugar) is a Sugar which is found most notably in Milk. Blindness is the condition of lacking Visual perception due to Physiological or Neurological factors They hop readily into a cloth bag when it is lowered in front of them approximately to the height where the mother's pouch would be. The joey's instinct is to "cuddle up", thereby endearing themselves to their keepers, but after hand-rearing a joey, it cannot usually be released into the wild and be expected to provide for itself immediately. Usually wildlife sanctuaries are willing to adopt kangaroos which are no longer practical, or have grown too large to contain, needing at least 1 acre and 7ft boundary fences for a fully grown kangaroo.

Kangaroo emblems and popular culture

Main article: Kangaroo emblems and popular culture

Kangaroos have been featured on coins, as well as being used as emblems and logos. Kangaroo emblems and popular culture deals with the uses which have been made of the image of the Kangaroo such as Coins Emblems Logos They have also been used as mascots and in the naming of sports teams and are extremely well-represented in films, television, toys and souvenirs around the world.

References

• Dawson, Terence J. 1995. Kangaroos: Biology of the Largest Marsupials. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York. Second printing: 1998. ISBN 0-8014-8262-3.
• Flannery, Timothy Fridtjof, et al. 1996. Tree Kangaroos: A Curious Natural History. Reed Books, Melbourne. ISBN 0-7301-0492-3
• Underhill D. 1993. Australia's Dangerous Creatures, Reader's Digest, Sydney, New South Wales, ISBN 0-86438-018-6
• Weldon, Kevin. 1985. The Kangaroo. Weldons Pty. Ltd. , Sydney. ISBN 0-949708-22-4

Footnotes

See also

• Embryonic diapause
• Kangaroo (meat)
• Kangaroo court (mock justice)
• Boxing Kangaroo (symbol)
• Kangaroo emblems and popular culture

External links

• The Kangaroo Genome Project at Australian National University
• Courtship and Mating
• Prehistoric mammals

Embryonic diapause or Delayed implantation is a reproductive strategy used by close to 100 different Mammals in seven different orders. Kangaroo is a meat from any of the species of Kangaroo. It is produced in Australia from wild animals and is exported to over 55 countries worldwide A kangaroo court or kangaroo trial, sometimes likened to a Drumhead court-martial or Drumhead trial, is a sham Legal proceeding or Court For the film of the same name see Das Boxende Känguruh. The boxing kangaroo is a National personification of Australia Kangaroo emblems and popular culture deals with the uses which have been made of the image of the Kangaroo such as Coins Emblems Logos The Australian National University, commonly abbreviated to ANU, is a public Research university situated in Canberra, Australia.

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