Roos

Monday the 28th

Today we went up to Redcliff to surf and while we were checking out the waves and deciding which spot to go out at, I spotted some kangaroos grazing by the side of the road. They were the smaller variety so I decided to see if I could get close enough to get some pics, as I had yet to get any really good pictures of them. Remember we are in a campground so they are liable to be somewhat used to people.

I started to walk slowly toward them and they noticed me, but did not seem to concerned. As I got closer I really started looking at them and noticed a little head popping out of the pouch of one of them. The little joeys as they are called, are very inquisitive and they seemed interested in me. It was interesting to note that when the mom leans over to graze the joey is able to lean out of the pouch enough to graze as well. Every once in a while I would see a leg or maybe it was the tail sticking out of the pouch instead of the head and I am assuming the joey was getting a sip of milk. I think they stay in the pouch for nine months. I have heard that roo fur is actually softer than koala fur, although koala looks softer. check out the claws on the hind legs of the momma roo!! yaouserrr!!

Kangaroos are the only large animals to use hopping as a means of locomotion. The comfortable hopping speed for Red Kangaroo is about 20–25 km/h (13–16 mph), but speeds of up to 70 km/h (44 mph) can be attained, over short distances, while it can sustain a speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) for more than a mile.[10] This fast and energy-efficient method of travel has evolved because of the need to regularly cover large distances in search of food and water, rather than the need to escape predators.

Flatulence
Despite having a very similar diet to cows, kangaroos produce virtually no methane from digestion. The hydrogen byproduct of fermentation is instead converted into acetate, which is then used to provide further energy. Scientists are interested in the posibility of transfering the bacteria responsible from kangaroos to cattle, as methane is a greenhouse gas 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. [1] the above two paragraphs are from wikipedia


All told there were 3 mothers carrying joeys in the group and then what looked to be a couple of yearlings. They finally bounded off into the brush. All in all it was an even better encounter with the kangaroos than I expected.

I got a couple of days ahead of myself when I wrote about the roos we saw on a surfing trip.