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Red Kangaroo

Macropus rufus

Did you know?

  • Kangaroos are part of the Macropodidae family. Some of their close relatives are the wallaby, wallaroo and quokka.
  • Kangaroos live and travel in groups called mobs.
  • They stay cool in their extremely sunny environment by choosing shady spots to rest during the heat of the day.
  • They can really move, bounding across the open land at almost 35 miles per hour.
  • Baby kangaroos are the size of lima beans when they are born.

Massive Marsupials

Red kangaroos are the largest marsupials, or pouched mammals. Males can be over 150 pounds! Thanks to their size, adults can jump 25 feet in one leap! Males use their large tails to balance as they stand upright, lock forearms and try to push their opponent with their rear legs.

Young and Family

Red kangaroos are social animals that live in groups called mobs. Adult males are reddish-brown and adult females are smaller and boast a grey coat. Female kangaroos will typically birth one baby, known as a joey, at a time. But they can take care of three joeys in different developmental stages at one time — one out of the pouch but still nursing, one in the pouch, and one as an embryo awaiting its turn.

Threat Level

  • Unknown
  • Common
  • Near Threatened
  • Threatened
  • Endangered
  • Critically Endangered
  • Extinct in the Wild

Least Concern

The red kangaroo is widespread and abundant.

Range

Australia

Habitat

Plains

We care about red kangaroos

Red kangaroos were once considered to be pests and were threatened by overhunting, but with protection, the wild populations have rebounded. The Saint Louis Zoo supports red kangaroos in Red Rocks at the Zoo. Learn more about how we are helping wildlife around the world.

Dedicated to Conservation

Find this animal in Red Rocks

SAINT LOUIS ZOO ZONE

Red Rocks

At Red Rocks, you’ll view some of the world’s most powerful predators living near some of the world’s most graceful prey. Lions, tigers, zebra and giraffes all share the natural rocky boulders and outcroppings as their territory. With shading trees and a bird or two among the mammals, Red Rocks is a great place to spend a day at the Saint Louis Zoo.

Explore Red Rocks