Zvíře
Red kangaroo
An Australian marsupial whose springy leg tendons help it hop across open country.
Jazyk obsahu
A kangaroo's hop relies on powerful hind legs and elastic tendons that store energy. This way of travelling suits Australia's vast open landscapes. The red kangaroo inhabits dry country in central and western parts of the continent. It is the largest living marsupial, with adult males considerably bigger than females.
The colour in its name best describes males, whose coats have reddish-brown tones. Females may be greyer. Kangaroos eat grasses, leaves and herbs, obtaining some of the moisture they need from their food. They are more active around dawn and dusk. They can be found in groups, unlike the solitary movements of many other large mammals.
Marsupial young are born at a very early stage of development. A joey continues growing in its mother's pouch, where it spends about eight months. The pouch is therefore a place for development, not simply a way of carrying already independent young. Looking at a kangaroo's outline reveals the contrast between its short forelimbs and much stronger hind legs.
Pro děti
A kangaroo's back legs are much larger than its front ones. They help it hop, and their tendons work like springs, storing energy. The red kangaroo lives in dry, open parts of Australia. A large male usually has reddish fur, while a female may be greyer.
It eats plants: grasses, leaves and herbs. Plants also provide some of its water. It is especially active at dawn and dusk. A tiny joey is born very early in its development, then grows in its mother's pouch. It spends about eight months there. Raising young this way is characteristic of marsupials. The red kangaroo is the largest living member of that group. Its strong hind legs and the female's pouch tell us about two very different parts of kangaroo life.
Otázka 1 z 2
Which structure stores energy during a kangaroo’s hops?
- Umístění
- Kangaroo enclosure, stop 23 on the current map.