WILDLIFE / MARSUPIAL (Marsupialia) THERE ARE MANY TREE-ROO'S OF COLOURS, SIZES AND LOCATIONS! 14 species of tree kangaroos inhabit the forests. They weigh up to 32 pounds and measure about 30 inches, not including their 16-to-34-inch tails. -- LEARN MORE! Marsupial is a species that most of the young are carried in a pouch. Such as Kangaroos, Wallabies, Koalas, Possums, Opossums, Wombats and Tasmanian Devils. ♡ Scientific name: Dendrolagus FACTS: • NAME - Named Tree Kangaroo due to the creature's evolutionary history related to rainforest floor-dwelling pademelon-like ancestor. This ancestor evolved from an arboreal possum-like ancestor as is suspected of all macropodid marsupials in Australia and New Guinea. Tree Roo's have several adaptations to an arboreal life-style. Compared to terrestrial kangaroos, Tree Kangaroo's have longer and broader hind feet with longer, curved nails. They also have a sponge-like grip on their paws and soles of their feet. They have a much larger and pendulous tail than terrestrial kangaroos, giving them enhanced balance while moving about the trees. • LIFE SPAN - Tree Kangaroos are very difficult to study in the wild so their average lifespan is unknown, but it is likely 15-20 years. However, in captivity they can live for more than 20 years! The oldest known tree kangaroo is 27 years old(Zoo Miami announced that Patty, the Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo became the oldest of her species ever documented. Patty has reached 27 years, 2 months and 12 days of age.) ORIGIN - Tree Roo's habitat is Montane tropical forest ranging in states Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia. DIET - Living in the trees, the tree kangaroo eats mostly leaves and fruit, although they will also collect fruit that has fallen to the ground. The animals will also eat other items such as grains, flowers, sap, eggs, young birds, and even bark. WHY PROTECT THEIR SPECIES? - Besides one the most adorable and gentle creatures on Earth(I fed a Tree Roo an egg and she was so gentle with her long nails. Such a beautiful soul[13/04/19]). Raising awareness of habitat loss and the effects of hunting. Promoting and managing protected areas. The major threats facing tree kangaroo species are hunting and habitat loss. Been hunted for food by indigenous communities across their range. For a number of species, this factor alone has contributed to a sharp decline in population numbers. CONSERVATION STATUS - Endangered. The Wondiwoi Tree Kangaroo is close to being extinct. The IUCN Red List listed the species as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) because "if the species still exists the population must be very small (less than 50 mature individuals) and probably in decline due to hunting pressures. WWF World Wide Fund for Nature has the info and how to help at: http://wwf.panda.org/knowledge_hub/endangered_species/tree_kangaroo/