About
Contact
DONATE
DONATE

Macropodidae - Kangaroos, Wallabies

There are 67 species of marsupials in this family. They are found in Australia and New Guinea.

They have long rear feet and small front legs. They can stand upright by resting on their rear feet. They are powerful hoppers, and they have long, thick tails that they use to help them keep their balance. They have long, triangular heads and large ears.

They are herbivores, and most species are nocturnal.

Species in this family include the lowland tree kangaroo, the white-throated tree kangaroo, the black dorcopsis, the yellow-footed rock wallaby, the lesser forest wallaby, the rufous hare-wallaby, the red kangaroo, the eastern gray kangaroo, the black wallaroo, the red-necked pademelon, the quokka, and the whiptail wallaby.

RED KANGAROO

The red kangaroo is the largest marsupial. It is found in central Australia. It stands about 5 feet tall and has a tail that is over 40 inches long.

The male red kangaroo is usually reddish-brown, and the female is usually a bluish-gray.

The red kangaroo can’t walk; it hops when it needs to move. It can leap up to six feet in the air and can hop as far as 25 feet! It can hop at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour for short distances.

The red kangaroo lives in groups, known as pods. It is nomadic and moves from place to place in search of food.

  • Bennet’s tree kangaroo is found in Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Bennett's Tree Kangaroo
    (Dendrolagus bennettianus)
    Bennet’s tree kangaroo is found in Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • Goodfellow's tree kangaroo is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo
    (Dendrolagus goodfellowi)
    Goodfellow's tree kangaroo is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • Lumholtz's tree kangaroo is found in Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lumholtz's Tree Kangaroo
    (Dendrolagus lumholtzi)
    Lumholtz's tree kangaroo is found in Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Huon tree kangaroos is found only in the Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea and the nearby island of Umboi. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Huon Tree Kangaroo
    (Dendrolagus matschiei)
    The Huon tree kangaroos is found only in the Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea and the nearby island of Umboi. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The Ifola tree kangaroo is found in the central mountains of Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Ifola Tree Kangaroo
    (Dendrolagus notatus)
    The Ifola tree kangaroo is found in the central mountains of Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The Tenkile tree kangaroo is only found in the rainforests on the southern side of Mount Sumoro in Papua New Guinea. is found in IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
    Tenkile Tree Kangaroo
    (Dendrolagus scottae)
    The Tenkile tree kangaroo is only found in the rainforests on the southern side of Mount Sumoro in Papua New Guinea. is found in IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
  • The Ursine tree kangaroo is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Ursine Kangaroo
    (Dendrolagus ursinus)
    The Ursine tree kangaroo is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The gray dorcopsis is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Gray Dorcopsis
    (Dorcopsis luctuosa)
    The gray dorcopsis is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The brown dorcopsis is found in IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Brown Dorcopsis
    (Dorcopsis muelleri)
    The brown dorcopsis is found in IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The spectacled hare-wallaby gets its name from the reddish-brown ring of fur around its eyes. It is found in Australia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Spectacled Hare Wallaby
    (Lagorchestes conspicillatus)
    The spectacled hare-wallaby gets its name from the reddish-brown ring of fur around its eyes. It is found in Australia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Once found in the arid and semi-arid parts of western Australia and southern Northern Territory, the rufous hare-wallaby is now only found on the islands of Dorre and Bernier off the coast of Western Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Rufous Hare Wallaby
    (Lagorchestes hirsutus)
    Once found in the arid and semi-arid parts of western Australia and southern Northern Territory, the rufous hare-wallaby is now only found on the islands of Dorre and Bernier off the coast of Western Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The agile wallaby s found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Agile Wallaby
    (Macropus agilis)
    The agile wallaby s found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Antilopine wallaroos live in the savanna woodlands of Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Antilopine Wallaroo
    (Macropus antilopinus)
    Antilopine wallaroos live in the savanna woodlands of Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black striped wallaby gets its name from the black stripe that runs down its back. It is found in Queensland and New South Wales in eastern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Striped Wallaby
    (Macropus dorsalis)
    The black striped wallaby gets its name from the black stripe that runs down its back. It is found in Queensland and New South Wales in eastern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Tammar wallaby is found in Australia and New Zealand. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tammar Wallaby
    (Macropus eugenii)
    The Tammar wallaby is found in Australia and New Zealand. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Western gray kangaroos live in groups of up to 50 individuals called mobs. They are found in southern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Western Gray Kangaroo
    (Macropus fuliginosus)
    Western gray kangaroos live in groups of up to 50 individuals called mobs. They are found in southern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Male eastern gray kangaroos often "box" with each other to establish dominance. They are found across most of eastern mainland Australia as well as in Tasmania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Eastern Gray Kangaroo
    (Macropus giganteus)
    Male eastern gray kangaroos often "box" with each other to establish dominance. They are found across most of eastern mainland Australia as well as in Tasmania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The parma wallaby is gray with a white throat and chest and a white stripe on its cheeks. It is found in new South Wales in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Parma Wallaby
    (Macropus parma)
    The parma wallaby is gray with a white throat and chest and a white stripe on its cheeks. It is found in new South Wales in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The whiptail wallaby has a very long tail. It is found in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Whiptail Wallaby
    (Macropus parryi)
    The whiptail wallaby has a very long tail. It is found in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-necked wallaby lives in the coastal forests of eastern and southeastern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Necked Wallaby
    (Macropus rufogriseus)
    The red-necked wallaby lives in the coastal forests of eastern and southeastern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red kangaroo is the largest marsupial in the world, but at birth it is the size of a pinto bean! Red kangaroos live over most of the central part of Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red Kangaroo
    (Macropus rufus)
    The red kangaroo is the largest marsupial in the world, but at birth it is the size of a pinto bean! Red kangaroos live over most of the central part of Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The bridled nail-tailed wallaby has a horny spur on the end of its tail. It once lived in the semi-arid region of eastern Australia. It is now only found in special reserves in Queensland and New South Wales. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Bridled Nailtail Wallaby
    (Onychogalea fraenata)
    The bridled nail-tailed wallaby has a horny spur on the end of its tail. It once lived in the semi-arid region of eastern Australia. It is now only found in special reserves in Queensland and New South Wales. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The northern nailtail wallaby is found in northern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Northern Nailtail Wallaby
    (Onychogalea unguifera)
    The northern nailtail wallaby is found in northern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The common wallaroo is found across most f Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Common Wallaroo
    (Osphranter robustus)
    The common wallaroo is found across most f Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Allied rock wallaby is found in rocky terrain in northern Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Allied Rock Wallaby
    (Petrogale assimilis)
    The Allied rock wallaby is found in rocky terrain in northern Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Short-eared rock wallabies are found in rocky areas near forests, woodlands, or savannahs in the Northern Territory and Western Australia in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Short-Eared Rock Wallaby
    (Petrogale brachyotis)
    Short-eared rock wallabies are found in rocky areas near forests, woodlands, or savannahs in the Northern Territory and Western Australia in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The monjon is found in Western Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Monjon
    (Petrogale burbidgei)
    The monjon is found in Western Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The unadorned rock wallaby is found in eastern Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Unadorned Rock Wallaby
    (Petrogale inornata)
    The unadorned rock wallaby is found in eastern Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-footed rock wallaby lives on rock piles, cliffs, and rocky hills in northern South Australia, the southern parts of the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Black-Footed Rock Wallaby
    (Petrogale lateralis)
    The black-footed rock wallaby lives on rock piles, cliffs, and rocky hills in northern South Australia, the southern parts of the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The Mareeba rock wallaby is found in Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Mareeba Rock Wallaby
    (Petrogale mareeba)
    The Mareeba rock wallaby is found in Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The brush-tailed rock wallaby is native to Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, Australia, but a small population of rock-wallabies can be found on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. They are the descendants of a pair brought to the island in 1916. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Brush-Tailed Rock Wallaby
    (Petrogale penicillata)
    The brush-tailed rock wallaby is native to Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, Australia, but a small population of rock-wallabies can be found on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. They are the descendants of a pair brought to the island in 1916. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The purple-necked rock wallaby is found in Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Purple-Necked Rock Wallaby
    (Petrogale purpureicollis)
    The purple-necked rock wallaby is found in Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • Rothschild's rock wallaby Is found in Western Australia, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rothschild's Rock Wallaby
    (Petrogale rothschildi)
    Rothschild's rock wallaby Is found in Western Australia, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Mount Claro rock wallaby is found in Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Mount Claro Rock Wallaby
    (Petrogale sharmani)
    The Mount Claro rock wallaby is found in Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The yellow-footed rock wallaby has rough pads on its feet that keep it from slipping as it hops from rock to rock. It is found in South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby
    (Petrogale xanthopus)
    The yellow-footed rock wallaby has rough pads on its feet that keep it from slipping as it hops from rock to rock. It is found in South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland, Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • This small marsupial is found in southwestern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Quokka
    (Setonix brachyurus)
    This small marsupial is found in southwestern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • These short, stocky marsupials are found in dense vegetation in forests in Tasmania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tasmanian Pademelon
    (Thylogale billardierii)
    These short, stocky marsupials are found in dense vegetation in forests in Tasmania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The dusky pademelon is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Dusky Pademelon
    (Thylogale brunii)
    The dusky pademelon is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The red-legged pademelon is found in Australia and New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Legged Pademelon
    (Thylogale stigmatica)
    The red-legged pademelon is found in Australia and New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-necked pademelon is found in eastern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Necked Pademelon
    (Thylogale thetis)
    The red-necked pademelon is found in eastern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Swamp wallabies live in dense forests, woodlands, and swampy areas on the eastern coast of Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Swamp Wallaby
    (Wallabia bicolor)
    Swamp wallabies live in dense forests, woodlands, and swampy areas on the eastern coast of Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

The Red-necked pademelon is a member of this family.
The Red-necked pademelon is a member of this family.
The red kangaroo is a member of this family.
The red kangaroo is a member of this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

Support for NatureWorks is provided by:

Subscribe to @NHPBS

NHPBS inspires one million Granite Staters each month with engaging and trusted local and national programs on-air, online, in classrooms and in communities.

Facebook Flickr Instagram Youtube

Education

Taking Action

Shows

FCC Public File Info: WENH | WLED | WEKW | EEO Public File Report | For assistance, please email themailbox@nhpbs.org
Website by CleverLight