The term kangaroo actually encompasses different species of the marsupial subfamily, which obviously have important characteristics in common. Among all the species we could highlight the red kangaroo, since it is the largest marsupial that currently exists, standing 1.5 meters tall and 85 kilos of body weight, in the case of the male.
The different species of kangaroo inhabit Oceania and have become the most representative animals of Australia, their powerful hind legs stand out as well as their long and muscular tail, through which they can move through spectacular jumps.
Another characteristic feature of these animals that arouses great curiosity is the pouch they have on their ventral area, and in this AnimalWised article we explain what the pouch is for kangaroo pouch.
What is the pouch?
The pouch is what is popularly known as the kangaroo pouch and it is a fold of the skin of this animal that only is present in females, since it covers your breasts forming an epidermal bag that acts as an incubator.
This is a duplication of the skin that is located on the outer ventral wall and which, as we will see below, is closely linked to breedingof baby kangaroos.
What is the kangaroo pouch for?
The females give birth to the calf practically when it is still in an embryonic state, approximately between 31 and 36 days of gestation. The baby kangaroo only has developed arms and thanks to them it can move from the vagina to the pouch.
The baby kangaroo will remain in the bag for approximately 8 months but for another 6 months it will go periodically to the pouch to continue feeding.
We can define as follows the functions of the bag of the kangaroo:
- It acts as an incubator and allows the total evolution of the breeding organism
- Allows the female to nurse her young
- Even when the young have evolved properly, the kangaroos carry them in their pouches to defend them from the threat of different predators
As you may have observed, this anatomical structure in kangaroo females is not at all arbitrary, but is due to the peculiarities of the short gestation of the offspring.
The kangaroo, an endangered species
Sadly, the three main species of kangaroos (red, eastern gray and western gray kangaroos) are in danger of extinction mainly due to the effects of global warming, which far from being an abstract concept is a threatening reality for our planet and its biodiversity.
An increase of two degrees Celsius could have a devastating effect on the kangaroo population, and according to various statistics and studies it is estimated that this increase in temperature could occur by the year 2030 andwould reduce the range of kangaroos by 89%
As always, caring for the environment is essential to maintain our planet's biodiversity.
