MARSUPIALS / MACROPODS Marsupial The word “Marsupial” refers to a group of about 260 different species of animals that share the common feature of bearing their young at (basically) a premature stage in their development and raise their infant to a juvenile stage in an anatomical pouch. Marsupials found in North America are Opossums and are called Kidelphids. South America is also home to a variety called Caenolestids or Rat Opossums. The others, found only in the Southern Hemisphere, mostly in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea are: the Macropods (kangaroos and wallabies), Phalangers which are called Possums (not the America’s Opossums), Dasyurids which are insect eaters, Peramelids or Bandicoots, Koalas and Wombats. Other than Kangaroos, well known names are : Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), the Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps) and here in North America the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana). There are a wide array of differences and some similarities between various subgroups of Marsupials. The key determinative factor in classifying them as Marsupial is the use of a pouch in which to rear their young. There are so many known Marsupial varieties, it is vital to recognize that each requires its own specific environment which ideally would closely resemble the basic conditions provided them in their native geographical region. It goes without saying that some animals can not responsibly or reasonably be housed by the average “individual” in every private situation. The desire or ability to acquire any animal, (Marsupial or any other for that matter) is the taking of a great responsibility, to say the least. Each individual should consider their intent and ability to provide their pets with not just an acceptable environment, but one that provides superior care and consideration for the well being of the pet. One should do all the research they can about appropriate care and each animal’s individual requirements. Consider the cost of acquisition, housing, veterinary care (including the availability thereof), feeding and spend a moment thinking of the emotional requirements of the pet you are considering adopting. Can you provide them with a home that YOU would enjoy if you were in their paws? What are the laws governing ownership of exotic animals where you live? What are the costs of ownership worse case scenario? Double that amount, can you still afford it? Where will you be finding a knowledgeable Veterinarian? To describe in detail, the appropriate care of each of the individual species of Marsupial would read like an encyclopedia. We are going to discuss most specifically the best case care as we see it, for the largest sub- group of Marsupial and the most common privately housed Marsupial, the Macropods. I know that lots of people are going to say “WHAT ABOUT………….?.” Our expertise (such that it is) is in Macropods, so we can expound with conviction and experience. If you are a Koala Farm in Kalamazoo or a Sugar Glider Haven in Syracuse (We are a Wallaby Ranch in Washington!!) and you would be so kind as to Author a fact sheet and contribute it to our cause, we will be most delighted to consider it for inclusion herein. MACROPODS Macropods are marsupials and they belong to a family called Macropodidae. Included in this family are subfamilies the likes of: Kangaroos, Tree Kangaroos, Wallabies, Padamelons, Quokkas, Bettongs and Pottoroos. The meaning of the word Macropod is a Greek derivation of “Large Foot.” So basically, Macropod means Bigfoot. To simplify the description process, one might say that Macropods are all Kangaroos of one size or another, ranging from the tiny Kangaroo Rats or the tiny 2 pound Pottoroo to the giant Red Kangaroos who can tip the scales at near 200 pounds and stand over 7 feet tall on their toes. Over 50 individual varieties exist in the Macropodidae family, so it is again difficult to provide specifics on the care of each individual variety. We will attempt to provide some simple descriptions of the less popularly kept Macropods and follow with specific details on the rearing and housing of perhaps the most popularly kept Macropod, the Red Neck or Bennetts Wallabies. A small mob of grazing Bennetts Wallabies Macropods are grazers and browsers so they would be considered essentially Herbivorous. Their diets consist of grasses, roots, leaves and branches found in their native habitats. Their teeth are designed with a straight row of cutting teeth like ours in front with a space in front of the molar teeth and no canine teeth at all. Most Macropod species have four molars and while some experience eating difficulties when those wear, others have a tooth replacement process called molar progression in which the molars are progressively lost and replaced with new teeth. The digestive process of Macropods is a bacterial break down system much like horses or cattle (ruminants) have, to digest the high percentage of roughage in their diets. Larger Macropods like the Red and Grey Kangaroos and the Common Wallaroos are known for their ability to travel long distances on little water and a very low quality diet. Interestingly, it is the digestive system of the Macropod that provides the seed for what may be the greatest challenge to keeping many Macropod species in captivity. When subjected to unusual stress, a Macropod’s immune system may be compromised and the bacteria, necessary for the digestive process can begin to grow out of control. This overburden of (basically) parasites can quickly grow and the result is often the demise of the animal due to the anemic condition caused by depletion of red blood cells and their replacement (in effect) by parasites. Low stress environments are a key to the keeping of Macropods. “Velvet” A young Albino Bennetts female shows off her “Big Feet” The “Large Foot” and long tail are common elements in Macropods as are the relatively small heads, large ears and on the females, forward opening pouches. The feet are normally very long and narrow and commonly have four toes. Central is the largest and strongest toe, functioning greatly during high speed maneuvering or in self defense. On the outside of each large toe is a smaller toe and on the inside are the two smallest toes. The small toes are normally fused together and function as a thumb for grooming and care of the ears. “Rocky” the Red Kangaroo shows off his hands The smaller front paws or “hands” have five, finger like digits, on smaller arm like limbs. Pademelons, Quokkas, Bettongs and Potoroos are some of the smaller and lesser kept of the Macropods (listed with the smallest last. Potoroos are tiny little guys weighing only 2 to 4 pounds. These small Macropods can be kept in lesser spaces than the larger Kangaroos, and while quite a few are actually kept in captivity, many are simply impossible to get or keep privately. Perhaps practicality and economics play a role to some extent given the small size. Housing of smaller animals in captivity is often difficult due to the requirement for fully enclosed housing of some nature. Enclosing a large area well enough to protect large numbers of small animals., from predators is often not practical or economical for the average private interests. Tree Kangaroos of nearly a dozen varieties exist, for example, but are very rarely held in captivity and require large enclosures with plenty of high trees for natural activities, when they are. A few Tree Kangaroos are housed in the larger Commercial Zoos in the world. Here again, the difficulty (aside from any regulatory considerations) of safely and adequately providing for this type of splendid animal makes private ownership rarely practical. Wallabies, Wallaroos and Kangaroos make up a sizable subgroup of the huge and varied category of Marsupials. Nearly fifty more animals from the tiny, 4 to 5 lb New Guinea Dorcopsis or Forest Wallabies, to the nearly 200 lb giant Red Kangaroos, fill this category. In general, size is the recognized determinant of sub category here. Those species with an average weight of 44 lbs or less are considered Wallabies. Those species growing on average to 45 lbs or more are considered Kangaroos. “Mickey” a young Red Wallaroo will grow to 100 lbs. A completely separate species, “Wallaroos,” a species conveniently named as though they were a mix of Wallaby and Kangaroos (they are not), are also conveniently sized in between, growing as large as 70 to 100 lbs and standing up to 5 feet tall on their toes. Common Wallaroos of which there are many, including some known as “Rock Kangaroos,” by virtue of size find them selves included in the category of Kangaroos. Wallabies and Kangaroos will congregate in a group called a “Mob” for grazing and relaxing for the apparent purpose of safety in numbers. When a wary roo senses danger, it will run off while thumping the ground in a noticeably loud and alerting way. This signal sends a message of high alert to all members of the mob and they often respond by fleeing in mass. Youngster “Roos” are called “Joeys” while an adult female is known as a “Sheila” and the adult male referred to as a “Boomer.” One dominant male generally does the job of fathering all of the mob’s Joeys. Like many species, the male requires nearly twice as long as the female to reach the age of sexual maturity. It is assumed that these characteristics are built in to assure that the females are all quite pregnant by the time the young males reach maturity. Young males must challenge the right of the dominant male when approaching the females, so they are either ready to drive off the big cheese, or they are themselves driven off by the stronger and larger male.