Author: Fujitsu

Kangaroos 101

Genus Name: Macropus
Species Name: tasmaniensis
Second largest marsupial in the WORLD
Warm blooded
Doesn’t migrate or hibernate
Herbivores– mostly nocturnal
How to spot one!
Full grown can grow 2 meters tall and over 60 kg
Color= brown—gray & Large ears
Unlike any other kangaroo species, they grow hair between their nose and upper lip (like a mustache) :)
Saves energy by hopping instead of full force running
Normally makes clucking sounds to communicate but uses a guttural cough when ALARMED
Found in forests, woodlands, Northeastern Tasmania, Mt. William National Park, and other parks

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/forester-kangaroo.html#scientific
http://www.pbs.org/edens/tasmania/featured.html
http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/BHAN-5383SE?open
http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/kangaroos.html
http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/wildlife/animals/living/wallaby.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/08/australia-kangaroo-cull
http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/Publications/BHAN-54X2MD?open

Tasmanian
Forester
Kangaroos

Sites Used

Usually spotted in a group of 3 or 4, but sometimes in groups of 10
Gestation (pregnancy) only lasts for 36 days, but, of course, there’s a catch. The mother carries her young around in her pouch for 11 months, and weaning finally begins at 18 months.
Just like humans, kangaroos give birth year round, but for these kangaroos, the breeding peak occurs in the summer.

Since Europe’s settlement, their population has decreased 90%!!!!
Causes
Predators= dogs & car strikes
New white settlers shooting
Fragmented habitat to make room for cattle and sheep grazing
Competition with other herbivores
Overabundance of culling for meat and fur

Today, the population is roughly 26,000
Gratefully, the Tasmanian Forester Kangaroos are being closely monitored, and within the last three generations, the population has been very stable.
Lots of people believe that the chance of the Tasmanian Forester Kangaroo to become extinct in the next 100 years is just 10%.
People are finally coming together to protect this endangered species!!!!