other names

Plains Kangaroo, Marloo or Blue Flyer (female only)

DESCRIPTION

Male: Head and body length 935-1500mm and a tail length of 710-1000mm. Weight 22-85kg. Red in colour with distinct white underparts. Black and white patches on side of muzzle with broad white stripe from corner of mouth to base of ear. Naked rhinarium.

Female: Head and body length 745-1100mm and a tail lenght of 645-900mm. Weight 17-35kg. Appearence as per male, but fur colour has a blue-grey tinge.

Abundant in most areas of Central and Western Australia the Red Kangaroo can be found in the inner areas of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, the Northern Territory and most parts of Western Australia (exept the far north and far south areas of the state). It can also be found in the north-western tip of Victoria but is absent from Tasmania. The Red Kangaroo prefers shrub land, grassland and desert areas, prefering open plains.  It lives in mobs or small groups.  The Red Kangaroo feeds mostly at night, or in the late evening and early morning and grazes mainly on grasses and some plants.  Not all Red Kangaroos are red!  Most males are red, but some males and most females are a grey or grey-blue colour.   Male Red Kangaroos can grow to 1.15 metres in height, which is the second largest kangaroo (the Eastern Grey Kangaroo is the largest). Maturity is reached at around two to three years, however females can commence breeding six months earlier in good conditions. Pregnancy lasts 33 days.