 | Quick Facts |  |
|  | Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Marsupialia
Family: Macropodidae
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Family Macropodidae
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Red Kangaroo
The Macropodidae family is the second largest family of marsupials with around 54 species. They have long narrow hind feet and a long, heavy tail. This tail is not prehensile. Instead, it is used as a balancing and stabilizing device. At high speeds, they primarily use hopping as a means of locomotion. At lower speeds they tend to balance on their forearms and tail and swing their hind legs forward. Members of this family cannot walk backwards. Macropodids are grazers and browsers and most are nocturnal. Members of this family are found in Australia, New Guinea, and on some of the surrounding islands.
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