Feathers, Fur and Fins: Observing a kangaroo

SUBJECTS:  Science

YEARS:  F–2

Take a look at Australia's most famous animal, the kangaroo.

Don Spencer feeds a female kangaroo that has a young joey in her pouch.

Observe (look carefully at) how a kangaroo can stay alert in case of danger.

Things to think about

1. 1.Have you seen a kangaroo? It moves differently to most other animals. How does it move? Apart from its two legs, what other body part does the kangaroo use for moving?
2. 2.Compare the young kangaroo 'joey' to the adult kangaroo. Notice that the young is a smaller version of the adult. Watch the kangaroo move its ears. What do you think it is listening for?
3. 3.Find out what a newborn kangaroo looks like. How similar is it to its parents? How similar is a joey to its parents? Make a picture book or slide-show of a kangaroo's life. Draw or find pictures of a newborn kangaroo, a joey and an adult kangaroo. Show how the kangaroo changes as it grows.
4. 4.Animals that use a pouch to carry and feed their young are called marsupials (mah-soo-pee-yuls). Find some other marsupials. How are they similar to and different from kangaroos? Try moving like a kangaroo. How fast can you go? How does it feel? Imagine if you had a tail. How would you use it to move?

Date of broadcast: 4 Sep 1986

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