Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dendrolagus
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| Species: |
goodfellowi
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| Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo range | |
The Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus goodfellowi), also known as the ornate tree kangaroo, is a unique animal. It belongs to the same family as kangaroos and wallabies. This family, called Macropodidae, includes eleven different types of tree-kangaroos. These special animals live in the rainforests of New Guinea and parts of Indonesia. Sadly, Goodfellow's tree-kangaroos are an endangered animal. This means there are not many left in the wild. They are in danger because of too much hunting and because people are building homes in their habitat.
What Makes a Tree-Kangaroo Special?
Goodfellow's tree-kangaroos look quite different from kangaroos that live on the ground. Their legs are not as big as their strong front arms. These arms have hooked claws that help them grab onto tree branches. They also have long tails that help them keep their balance high up in the trees. These features help them live mostly in trees.
They have short, woolly fur that is usually reddish-brown. Their face is gray-brown, and their cheeks and feet are yellow. They have pale stomachs and long, golden-brown tails. You can also spot two golden stripes on their backsides. A Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo usually weighs about 7 kilograms (around 15 pounds).
How Do They Move?
On the ground, Goodfellow's tree-kangaroos are quite slow and a bit clumsy. They move at about the same speed a human walks. They don't hop very well, which is different from land kangaroos who are famous for hopping.
However, in trees, Goodfellow's tree-kangaroos are amazing! They are fearless and very agile. They climb by wrapping their arms around a tree trunk and hopping up with their strong back legs. This lets their arms slide up the tree. They are also excellent jumpers. They can even jump from trees to the ground from as high as thirty feet without getting hurt!
What Do They Eat?
Goodfellow's tree-kangaroos mostly eat the leaves of the silkwood tree. But they also enjoy other foods when they can find them. These include different kinds of fruit, cereals, flowers, and grasses.
They have large stomachs that work a bit like special containers. This helps them digest tough leaves, similar to how cows digest their food. First, the food gets soft in one part of their stomach. Then, they bring it back up to chew it again. After that, it goes to a second part of their stomach. Here, tiny bacteria help break down the tough fibers from the leaves and grasses.
See also
In Spanish: Canguro arborícola de Goodfellow para niños
