You have heard much about the Australian kangaroos that leap and bounce on land. But what about their arboreal cousins, the tree kangaroos?
The tree kangaroo shares the common physical traits of kangaroos and lemurs and inhabits the lowlands and mountainous rainforests of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. A total of fourteen species of tree kangaroos have been identified so far.
Their life on trees has enabled them to adapt better. The species has developed strengthened forelimbs and shorter legs to boost better and faster climbing. They weigh up to 14.5 kg and grow to a length of around 90 cm. Tree kangaroos wear a chestnut-brown coat adorned by two golden stripes on the back. Hence, the animal also goes by the name, ‘the golden-mantled tree kangaroo’.
Shreds of evidence reveal that kangaroos, wallabies, and the tree kangaroos are closely related marsupials descending from the same ancestors called macropods. Scientists believe that macropods were essentially tree-dwelling animals that existed millions of years ago.
Illegal poaching and habitat destruction have led to a massive decline in the total population of this plant-eating marsupial.
Picture Credit : Google
