How many species of Kangaroos are there?

This kangaroos are a diverse but recognizable group of marsupials.

There are at least 65 species of ‘kangaroos’, with most being found in Australia and also New Guinea.

Despite the varied range of forms, there is a common body plan to all members of this group.

They are often referred to as the ‘macropods’ from the scientific name of the superfamily, which translates from the Greek to mean ‘big-footed’.

This term describes one of their most defining and distinctive characteristics; long toes on big feet, on the end of strong hindlegs.

In contrast, the arms and hands are generally much shorter and weaker. All of the extant species belong to two families; the smaller, more primitive potoroids (rat-kangaroos, potoroos, bettongs), and the generally larger and more recently evolved macropodids (kangaroos and various wallabies).

All living macropods are essentially herbivorous, the smaller ones being a little more omnivorous, and the larger ones being more standard grazers.

the larger kangaroos

This family has over 45 species found in Australia and New Guinea, and they comprise the dominant mammalian herbivores in the tropical savannas.

Males of most species are generally much larger than females, and may fight to gain access to them.

The females of many species in this family are well known for their ability to produce young continuously.

At any one time, if conditions are good, they may have an embryo inside, an underdeveloped young in the pouch, and a young at the side.

To deal with young at different ages and stages, the mothers have the ability to produce different types of milks.