Kangaroo Adaptations Essay Example
A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae (macropods, meaning 'large foot'). In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, red kangaroo, antilopine kangaroo, eastern grey kangaroo and western grey kangaroo.[1] Kangaroos are endemic to the country of Australia. The smaller macropods are found in Australia and New Guinea.
Kangaroos have large, powerful hind legs, large feet adapted for leaping, a long muscular tail for balance, and a small head. Like most marsupials, female kangaroos have a pouch called a marsupium in which joeys complete postnatal development.
A kangaroo lives in a group. For the most part, the members of the group get along together, and protect each other. In the mating season, however, the males box with each other. They claw each other's chests and kick each other's abdomens. The winner will have a higher chance of mating with more females.
One of the most intriguing animals is the kangaroo and as you will discover, kangaroo adaptations are quite extensive. This animal is so amazing.
Pregnancy - During the female’s adult life, she is pregnant the majority of the time.
However, as a part of kangaroo adaptations, when drought hits Australia, her body has the ability to freeze or suspend embryo development indefinitely.
Once food, water, and other sources needed to grow and survive become available, the embryo can again grow.
Kangaroo Milk - Another one of the amazing kangaroo adaptations is that the mother actually produces two different types of milk.
One type of milk is used for the very young embryo that remains attached to the teat whereas the other type of milk is for the maturing Joey that spends time in and outside of the pouch.
Since baby kangaroos have different needs, her body has been able to adapt to these needs and produce different milk.There are kangaroo adaptations specific to being energy efficient.
The design of the body,
Kangaroos have large, powerful hind legs, large feet adapted for leaping, a long muscular tail for balance, and a small head. Like most marsupials, female kangaroos have a pouch called a marsupium in which joeys complete postnatal development.
A kangaroo lives in a group. For the most part, the members of the group get along together, and protect each other. In the mating season, however, the males box with each other. They claw each other's chests and kick each other's abdomens. The winner will have a higher chance of mating with more females.
One of the most intriguing animals is the kangaroo and as you will discover, kangaroo adaptations are quite extensive. This animal is so amazing.
Pregnancy - During the female’s adult life, she is pregnant the majority of the time.
However, as a part of kangaroo adaptations, when drought hits Australia, her body has the ability to freeze or suspend embryo development indefinitely.
Once food, water, and other sources needed to grow and survive become available, the embryo can again grow.
Kangaroo Milk - Another one of the amazing kangaroo adaptations is that the mother actually produces two different types of milk.
One type of milk is used for the very young embryo that remains attached to the teat whereas the other type of milk is for the maturing Joey that spends time in and outside of the pouch.
Since baby kangaroos have different needs, her body has been able to adapt to these needs and produce different milk.There are kangaroo adaptations specific to being energy efficient.
The design of the body,