What can we do to help ???

There are lots of way to help save these endangered species and we should do something to help them. If we do so then for sure in the future we are able to let our grandchildren see them too. Tree kangaroo is a beautiful creature and we should help keep them save. Here are some wyas to help them :

· Support WWF's efforts to preserve tree kangaroo habitat - only buy wood or wood products that come from properly managed and sustainable forests which have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

What can be the threat to Tree Kangaroo???

Tree kangaroos are primarily hunted by the natives of Papua New Guinea. They are traditionally hunted by natives with dingos, which sniff the kangaroos out and grab them from the trees. Doing it this way allows many of them to escape. However, the introduction of guns to the island has placed their future in jeopardy. They are hunted for their succulent meat.Tree kangaroos are endangered, with only 1400 left in the wild. Breeding programs in zoos worldwide are helping to conserve this species.

Other than that, the main danger to tree kangaroos is habitat loss. Destruction of rainforests means loss of habitat, and loss of food source. Unlike some other highly adaptable marsupials, tree kangaroos need a very specific habitat. Also, in parts of northern Australia, quite a few tree kangaroo deaths are caused by cars. Introduced species such as foxes and wild dogs are also a major problem for tree kangaroo.

Lets see what does Tree Kangaroos eat

Fruit, leaves, fruit, sap, eggs and bark.

Many did not know that Tree Kangaroos are considered herbivores, although they will feed upon animals. The main portion of their diet consists of leaves, but they will also feed upon flowers, fruits, nuts, bark, sap, bird eggs, bird young, and insects. In the zoo they are fed fruit leaves, apples, carrots, corn, kale, timothy hay, spinach leaves, alfalfa, lettuce, celery, and hard-boiled eggs. They are also fed with tea leaves to make up for the tannin present in the leaves they eat in the wild. Without these leaves, the rich colours of the coat would dull.

How many species of Tree Kangaroos are there???

According to many research they found out that there are approximately 10 species of Tree Kangaroos that can be tracked down, they are the :

• · Matschie's tree kangaroo
• · Lumholtz's tree kangaroo
• · Bennett's tree kangaroo
• · Doria's tree kangaroo
• · Goodfellow's tree kangaroo
• · Scott's tree kangaroo
• · Grizzled tree kangaroo
• · Black tree kangaroo
• · Lowland tree kangaroo
• · Dingiso or Bondegezou

Among different species of the Tree Kangaroos, mainly two Australian species are categorized by the IUCN as endangered. The Goodfellow's, Doria's, Matschie's, Tenkile and the Dingiso are threatened to be the most endangered.

How do Tree Kangaroo breeds???

Tree kangaroos have no defined mating season, although mating does drop off from October to March in captivity. Females go into heat every 51-79 days. They have a gestation period of 39-45 days, the longest of any known marsupial. 1-2 days before birth, the females isolates herself. She then takes up the birthing position: sitting on the base of her tail with the tail between her legs. The joey is born less than 1 in (2.5 cm) in length. It takes 2 min for it to crawl into the mother's pouch, which she cleans right before birth, and then grab hold of a teat. It remains this way for 100 days. After 250 days it looks out of the pouch; after 300 days it ventures out after 350 days it is independent of the pouch.

Where can Tree Kangaroos be found???

RangeStates:
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia

Tree Kangaroos are found at an altitude of 3000-5000 ft (900-1500 m) above sea level. They are usually located in the mountainous tropical deciduous and tropical rainforests of New Guinea. They are found exclusively on Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea, as well as on the nearby island of Umboi. Because Tree Kangaroos are arboreal, which mean they live in trees, and spend little time on the ground. They are solitary creatures and come together only to mate. The males require a large territory that will overlap several of the females' smaller territories. They sleep for 60% of their lives, curled up in the nearest tree. They feed during the day.

Family Life

Tree kangaroos are solitary animals and only come together when mating or when a female is rearig her young. Once a joey is born, it will stay in it's mother's pouch for 10-12 months. Once it leaves the pouch, it stays with the mother kangaroo a few more months to nurse.