About the Amazing Tree Kangaroos!
The usual macropod characteristics of large back legs and small forearms are reversed in Tree Kangaroos and their tails are very flexible. Surprisingly, they are clumsy climbers and not particularly agile in the trees. However, they can leap long distances from branch to branch. The tree kangaroo feeds on leaves and fruit and has a specific territory.
Unlike the koala that usually sleeps in a fork in the tree, the Tree Kangaroo sleeps along branches, in a most uncomfortable looking position. It feeds at night on the leaves and fruit of native trees. Tree Kangaroos are solitary animals and appear to have defined territories of up to two hectares. Males seem to share their Territory with half a dozen females. Recent studies have shown that those who survive after any land clearing operation become very vulnerable to predation and starvation. Road kills, as the animals move between fragmented habitats, are frequent. One species of snake, the Amethystine Python, is known to feed on juvenile Tree Kangaroos. The joeys live in the pouch for for about 9 months, and are dependent on the mother for protection for nearly two years after leaving the pouch.
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