Red Kangaroo for Kids Ages 8-10

Red Kangaroo

A Red Kangaroo tells his life story, from being a tiny, jellybean-sized joey growing up in his mother's pouch to becoming the world's largest marsupial. He explains how he lives with his family in a 'mob', uses his powerful legs to hop at high speeds, and keeps cool in the Australian outback. The kangaroo also shares his important role in the ecosystem, helping to maintain healthy grasslands for other animals.

First Scientifically Described 1822

Featured on Australian Coat of Arms 1908

A Red Kangaroo's Tale

Hello from the Outback! My name is Roo, and I am a Red Kangaroo, the biggest marsupial in the whole world! My home is here in the wide-open spaces of Australia, where the sun shines hot and the land stretches as far as you can see. Scientists call my kind Osphranter rufus, but you can just think of me as a proud resident of the sunburnt country. My story is one of hopping high, living with my family, and surviving in a tough but beautiful land. I want to share my adventure with you, from my very first moments as a tiny baby to my important job here in the Australian ecosystem. Come hop along with me!

I wasn't always this big and strong. My life began in the most amazing way. I was born as a tiny, pink joey, no bigger than a jellybean! I had no fur and my eyes were still closed, but I knew just what to do. All on my own, I made the incredible journey from the birth canal, through my mother's thick fur, and into the warmth and safety of her cozy pouch. It was a long climb for someone so small, but I made it. I spent my first several months—around 235 days—safely tucked inside. In the pouch, I drank my mother’s milk and grew bigger and stronger every day until I was finally ready to peek out at the big, bright world and take my very first wobbly hops.

I am a very social animal, and I don't live alone. I live with my family in a group called a 'mob.' Being in a mob helps keep us safe and lets us find the best places to eat. Together, we travel across the plains, grazing on fresh grasses and other tasty plants that grow in the outback. It’s a peaceful life, hopping and eating with my family by my side. For a long time, only the people native to Australia knew about us. Then, people from far away began to learn about my kind. Back in 1790, a naturalist from England named George Shaw looked at us closely and gave my species its first official scientific description. This was an important moment because it helped people all over the world understand who we are and what makes us so special.

My body is perfectly built for living in the hot, dry outback. I am most famous for my powerful back legs. They are like giant springs that can send me flying across the land at speeds of up to 64 kilometers per hour in big, bounding leaps! When I’m hopping, I use my long, muscular tail for balance. It works almost like a fifth leg, helping me steer and stay steady when I’m moving fast. The Australian sun can be very intense, but I have a clever trick for staying cool. On the hottest days, I lick my forearms. The saliva evaporates, or dries, in the air, and this process cools the blood running through my arms, which helps cool my whole body down.

My place in this vast land is more important than just hopping around. I have a special job in the outback ecosystem. By grazing on grasses, I help keep the grasslands healthy and prevent them from becoming overgrown. This careful 'mowing' helps many other plants and animals thrive. I am a true icon of Australia, a symbol of its wild and unique spirit. When people see me, they think of this incredible sunburnt country and its amazing wildlife. My story is still hopping along today, and I am proud to be a part of this land and to help keep it balanced for years to come.