Some Amazing Facts About Marsupials
Published by Travel the internet and learn. There is a wealth of information at our fingertips and I stumbled upon some pretty amazing information regarding kangaroos and their cousins. Did you know that there are some 50 different species?
At Yahoo! Education we learn that marsupials are any of various nonplacental mammals of the order Marsupialia, including kangaroos, opossums, bandicoots, wombats, and Tasmanian devils found principally in Australia and the Americas. There are 50 some species, some of which are small like rabbits and some which can climb trees.
Kangaroos – Flourishing for millions of years
The kangaroo, one of the many types of marsupials, still flourishes, but only in Australia, as they have for millions of years, housing their babies in outside pockets. While many other animals have adapted over the years, the kangaroo has remained relatively unchanged. There are 50 some species, some of which are small like rabbits and some which can climb trees, living in Australia, Tasmania, northward to New Guinea and also in some neighboring islands.
From a “worm” to a joey
The new born kangaroo is less than an inch long and semi-transparent like a worm. Three could easily fit in a teaspoon. The only part of the baby that is fully developed is its tiny front paws which are very similar to hands. The tiny baby grips a hold of mom’s fur and makes the journey to his mother’s pouch. Once there he attaches himself to her milk gland and she pumps milk into him, as he does not have the ability to feed himself. In order to keep him safely inside she has special muscles which keep her pouch securely around him.
Another amazing thing about joeys is that they are equipped with an elongated part of their larynx directly connected to the back portion of their nasal passage allowing for oxygen to pass directly into their lungs.
One kick can kill
At the age of four months old the joey has grown his own fur coat and has started to peek out from mother’s pouch. Occasionally he will graze with his mother, quickly scampering back inside the safety of the pouch at any sign of danger. When mother is in danger she will quickly stash her young only coming back to get him once the fracas is over. The mother kangaroo is a worthy opponent. One kick of a kangaroo’s powerful leg can kill a menacing dog or a man.
Full grown, a kangaroo weighs approximately 200 pounds and is taller than a man. They love to play box or tag with one another and will play for hours.
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21 Responses to “Some Amazing Facts About Marsupials”
On October 26, 2008 at 8:43 am
I like it so far, and I think this article is missing from the “One Kick Can Kill” part..Will be back when it’s fixed, Judy!
On October 26, 2008 at 9:41 am
It seems that most of my article is missing. I am trying to get this corrected. Thanks so much, BC for informing me.
Have a blessed day.
On October 26, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Good article! I would have never believed a marsupial looked like that when they were babies.
On October 26, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Very interesting.
On October 26, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I love it…
On October 27, 2008 at 12:18 am
interesting,i never knew that newly born kangaroos are that small,thanks Judy
On October 27, 2008 at 12:20 am
Thanks, sister!
On October 27, 2008 at 3:32 am
It was interesting to see that the joey was so tiny at first. I hadn’t realised they came out so small.
On October 27, 2008 at 7:08 am
Jared, Valli, Dhika, Nobert, Chan and Anne thanks for your support. I hope you were able to read it when it was published in it’s entirety.
On October 28, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I’m back Judy, and I really like this comprehensive article! Wonderful pictures too!
On October 28, 2008 at 8:22 pm
BC, thanks so much. I didn’t know it had not all downloaded until you told me. Triond was really good about repairing the article after I resubmitted.
On October 29, 2008 at 2:40 pm
A really interesting article, Judy. Fascinating!
On October 29, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Cool, Louie, I can now picture you with your comment. Triond is so innovative, and you are so kind.
Thanks and God bless.
On November 10, 2008 at 8:49 pm
So informative. I’m looking forward to hearing more from you
On November 10, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Eunice, thanks for your support. I have an aunt named Eunice.
Take care and God bless.
On November 12, 2008 at 3:19 am
Oh – I didn’t realize they started out so small – so absolutely adorable!! Love your article Judy!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
On November 12, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Liane, that was one of the things that I found so fascinating, so I had to know more. I love that about computers!!
Thanks for your kind support. God bless and take care.
On January 31, 2009 at 4:08 pm
that is fascinating
On February 25, 2009 at 1:57 am
I didn’t know that they are so small when they start! Brilliant
I love this article=FANTASTIC!!
Amazing=== Thanks
Lianes
On February 26, 2009 at 7:19 am
Lianes, thanks so much for your support.
On December 29, 2009 at 11:38 am
that was fantastic keep up the good work
God has made some truly amazing creations and to think that evolutionist think that it happened by random chance in crazy
God bless
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