Living Beings
    Source-identified Osphranter rufus; Documentary organism photograph. Framed for display
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    Red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) in Australian Wildlife Park, Albany, April 2022 10.jpg · Resized and converted to WebP for display. Documentary organism photograph. Calistemon · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Field guide · species

    Red Kangaroo

    Osphranter rufus

    AnimaliaMammaliaDiprotodontiaMacropodidae

    The red kangaroo is a large Australian marsupial adapted to open, dry country. Powerful hind limbs and a muscular tail shape its movement, while pouch development allows very small newborn young to continue growing after birth.

    Public research profile · final editorial review pending.

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    Tree of lifeScientific lineage
    1. LifeLife
    2. DomainEukaryota
    3. KingdomAnimalia
    4. PhylumChordata
    5. ClassMammalia
    6. OrderDiprotodontia
    7. FamilyMacropodidae
    8. GenusOsphranter
    9. SpeciesOsphranter rufus
    Advanced classification

    Complete source lineage, including intermediate ranks. The standard view uses Life and the eight principal ranks.

    1. cellular organisms cellular root
    2. Eukaryota domain
    3. Opisthokonta clade
    4. Metazoa kingdom
    5. Eumetazoa clade
    6. Bilateria clade
    7. Deuterostomia clade
    8. Chordata phylum
    9. Craniata subphylum
    10. Vertebrata clade
    11. Gnathostomata clade
    12. Teleostomi clade
    13. Euteleostomi clade
    14. Sarcopterygii superclass
    15. Dipnotetrapodomorpha clade
    16. Tetrapoda clade
    17. Amniota clade
    18. Mammalia class
    19. Theria clade
    20. Metatheria clade
    21. Diprotodontia order
    22. Macropodidae family
    23. Osphranter genus
    24. Osphranter rufus species
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    Physical traits

    Large hindquarters, short forelimbs and a long tail distinguish the body plan. Sexes can differ strongly in size and coat color.

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    Habitat and range

    Open grassland and shrubland provide feeding areas, with shade or cover useful during hot periods.

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    Diet and nutrition

    Grasses and other low vegetation supply most food. Forage availability changes following rainfall.

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    Behavior and activity

    Kangaroos rest during hot conditions and often feed when it is cooler. Groups can gather where resources are suitable.

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    Reproduction and life cycle

    A newborn travels to the pouch and attaches to a teat. Development continues there before the young gradually becomes independent.

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    Geographic distribution

    The species occupies much of Australia's arid and semi-arid interior. The biological source uses the former genus name Macropus.

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    Ecological role

    Grazing influences plant communities and connects dryland vegetation with animal food webs.

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    Distinctive adaptations

    Hopping, tail support and adjustments to breeding conditions help life in variable dry environments.

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    Conservation

    Local abundance depends on rainfall, land use and management. A broad range does not imply uniform conditions everywhere.

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    Evidence

    Sources

    Connected life

    No reviewed ecological connections in the collection yet.

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