Red Boomer
by Miroslava Jurcik
Title
Red Boomer
Artist
Miroslava Jurcik
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
The red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) is the largest surviving marsupial anywhere in the world. The Red Kangaroo occupies the arid and semi-arid centre of the country. The highest population densities of the Red Kangaroo occur in the rangelands of western New South Wales. Red kangaroos are commonly mistaken as the most abundant species of kangaroo, but eastern greys actually have a larger population. A large male can be 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) tall and weigh 90 kg (200 lb). It is a macropod which means "big foot". A male kangaroo is called bucks, boomers, jacks, or old men
A female kangaroo is called a flyers or jills
A baby kangaroo is called a joey
The word kangaroo derives from the Guugu Yimithirr (Aboriginal tribe) word gangurru, referring to grey kangaroos. The Kangaroo moves by hopping on its powerful hind legs. It uses its thick long tail to balance its body while hopping. A kangaroo can hop at up to 60kmh (40mph). It can also leap over obstacles up to 3m (10ft) high. Because of the unusual shape of its legs and its bulky tail a kangaroo can't walk or move backwards very easily. Kangaroos are found in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea.
They are grazing animals that eat grass, young shoots and leaves of heath plants and grass trees. Kangaroos need very little water to survive and are capable of going for months without drinking at all.
The kangaroo usually rests in the shade during the day and comes out to eat in the late afternoon and night when its much cooler. Red kangaroos live in groups of 24 members. The most common groups are females and their young. Larger groups can be found in densely populated areas and females are usually with a male. Membership of these groups is very flexible, and males are not territorial, fighting only over females that come into heat. Males develop proportionately much larger shoulders and arms than females. Most agonistic interactions occur between young males, which engage in ritualised fighting known as boxing. Compared to other kangaroo species, fights between red kangaroo males tend to involve more wrestling. Displaced males live alone and avoid close contact with others.
Uploaded
September 29th, 2014
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Comments (39)
Karen Adams
Great capture, Miroslava! I can see all the texture of this kangaroo's coat . . .love the dramatic lighting!...Lovely work!....fv
Jim Williams
Interesting name history. I had always heard that an English explorer asked a native what that animal is called, to which the native replied "kangaroo" which supposedly meant "I don't understand you". l, f, WHAT?
Miroslava Jurcik replied:
I think I herd that myth but its actually not true ! I think Eola was one of the words which was misunderstood. Thank you ! :)