Difference Between Kangaroo and Wallaby

Introduction

There are so many species all over the world, but in the world of marsupials, we often hear about kangaroos and wallabies. They steal the attention as they have unique features found only in Australia. They are also a form of tourist attraction. These two species also have similarities, like pouches. So, let us go through the reasons why there are many differences between them, despite their similarities.

Kangaroo vs Wallaby

The main difference between kangaroos and wallabies is their physical features. Both animals belong to the same family, i.e., Macropodidae, and are marsupial species. These animals are a tourist attraction in Australia. Kangaroos have larger, pointed ears and wallabies have smaller, rounded ears. And they both might look alike in appearance but have many differences. We will talk about the difference in detail.

Difference between Kangaroo and Wallaby in tabular form

Parameters of comparison	Kangaroo	Wallaby
Size	Kangaroos are larger, as compared to wallabies.	On the other hand, wallabies vary from small to medium-sized, but they are smaller than kangaroos.
Habitat	They prefer living in open grasslands, savannas, and woodlands.	And they live in closed forested areas, shrublands, and rocky terrain.
Behaviour	They have more of an aggressive nature. And live in large groups.	They are more docile and live in small groups.
Reproduction	During mating season, they are more aggressive to get a female partner.	Whereas, they are less aggressive than kangaroos.
Weight	Maximum weight reaches up to 200 pounds.	Their weight goes max up to 50 pounds.
Height	They reach a maximum of 6 feet.	They reach a maximum of 3.5 feet.
Ears	Kangaroos have larger and pointed ears.	Wallabies have smaller and rounded ears.
Birth	Kangaroos give birth to a single joey and have a longer gestation period.	Wallabies give birth to multiple joeys and have a shorter gestation period than kangaroos.
Diet	Kangaroos eat only grasses and forbs. They are herbivores in nature.	Wallabies eat multiple things like leaves, grasses, and sometimes bark. They are herbivores in nature.
Species	They have four species: the red kangaroo, the eastern grey kangaroo, the western grey kangaroo, and the antilopine kangaroo.	Common species of wallabies are the red-necked wallaby, the swamp wallaby, and the brush-tailed rock wallaby.
Distribution	Kangaroos are found in almost all areas of Australia.	Wallabies are mostly found in south-eastern and eastern Australia.

Kangaroo

Introduction

Kangaroos are the native marsupials in Australia. They are unique and fascinating in their way. They are now the symbol of Australia because of their powerful hind legs, long tail, and distinctive hopping gait. And, they are a popular tourist attraction in Australia.

Physical characteristics

Their special capabilities and unique physical appearance make them different from other animals. Some of the physical features are-

1. Size and weight- Kangaroos are known to be the largest marsupials on the planet. They have heights ranging from 3 to 6 feet tall, which varies from species to species. For example, the musky rat-kangaroo is the smallest species weighing a few ounces, and red kangaroos are the largest species weighing a maximum of up to 200 pounds.

2. Body and shape features- Kangaroos are most known for their hopping and jumping using their powerful hind legs. And another important feature is the tail, using the tail they balance their hopping and the tail is the fifth limb of their body, which helps them to sit upright. They also have front legs, which are smaller in size. Front legs provide them balance and support. They also have a snout that is long and pointed. And ears that are large and pointed, which helps them in hearing.

3. Coat and colour- Kangaroo's fur is formed of many colours that range from reddish-brown to grey. The fur is thick and coarse. Fur is distributed differently in the body. Shorter fur in the head, longer on the body, which regulates the body temperature. And as said, characteristics vary from species to species, so, there are some species, that have little fur on their belly, which helps them reflect heat to keep them cool.

4. Pouch- Pouch is only found in female Kangaroos. It has teats, which produce milk. It is found in the front part of their body. It is used to carry young ones and feed them milk.

Natural range

Kangaroos are native to the country of Australia. They can be seen in a wide range of regions, including forests, woodlands, savannas, and grasslands. The most common places are the Eastern and western parts of Australia, where Kangaroos can be seen. And southeast Australia is the place with the highest population of kangaroos. There is also Kangaroo Island, located on the southern coast of the country.

Adaptations to Environment

Kangaroos are good at adapting to harsh conditions as their species have got evolved. For example, kangaroos have powerful hind legs that help them to jump and hop over long distances. This ability of kangaroos helps them to cover large distances and save energy, while also escaping their predators.

Kangaroos have strong jaws, which are adapted to several herbivorous diets, like grasses, leaves, bark, shoots of the tree, and other plant derivatives. They are also adapted to the hot climate of Australia, which helps them to survive for long hours without water. In this way, they conserve water through concentrated urine and faeces, and at the same time reduce their metabolic rate, during times of drought.

Digestive system

Kangaroos consume herbivorous diets, which include plant derivatives. The digestive system of kangaroos helps them to extract the maximum amount of nutrition required from a fibrous diet. Their stomach forms a three-chambered stomach, which includes the rumen, reticulum, and omasum. The function of these chambers is to break cellulose and extract nutrients.

Fermentation is also conducted in the stomach of kangaroos, which involves microorganisms. In this process, the complex carbohydrates breaks and essential nutrients are extracted.

Reproduction Cycle of Kangaroos

The reproduction of kangaroos involves four stages, i.e., Sexual dimorphism, Mating Behaviours, Gestation Period and birth, and Parental care. So, we will discuss all these stages in brief. Those stages are-

1. Sexual dimorphism- Sexual dimorphism means that physical features between males and females are different. Male kangaroos are larger and more muscular, as compared to females. And males are known as the bucks. Whereas, females have a pouch to carry and nurse the baby. Females are called does and young ones are called Joey.
2. Mating behaviours- The breeding takes place in the summer month. Male kangaroos fight among themselves and the superior one gets the chance to mate with the females in the group.
3. Gestation period and birth- The gestation period of kangaroos is around 30 to 40 days. After that little Joey is born, which stays inside the pouch and develops. Inside the pouch, Joey feeds on from mother's teats for months.
4. Parental care- The female Kangaroo Pampers the young till the time, he/she can face the real world. The mother also protects and grooms little Joey. As time passes, little Joey goes out of the pouch and plays, but the mother's pouch is their home. Later, they leave the pouch and become fully independent for good.

Wallaby

Introduction

Wallabies are also marsupial mammals like kangaroos. They are often called miniature kangaroos, as both look the same. Wallabies are also the native marsupials of Australia. And they have a similar appearance to kangaroos, so they are also a popular form of tourist attraction.

Physical characteristics

1. Size and weight- Wallabies are just like kangaroos and both belong to the family. Wallabies are comparatively smaller in size than kangaroos. Though the variation in sizes and weight of wallabies, totally depends upon their species. They have a range of size from 30 to 90 cm in length and weigh between 2.2 to 44 pounds. And it is found that larger species prefer open space, whereas smaller one’s species prefer dense vegetation.
2. Fur and colouration- They have thick, soft fur that helps them during varying climates by providing insulation and protection. And there are many species, that have colours depending upon their climate. Species have colours like brown, grey or reddish brown. For example, red-necked wallabies are found in reddish-brown coats with a tint of white on their chest and there is a Black-footed wallaby with black-coloured feet.
3. Ears and eyes- Wallabies have large eyes and ears to help them sense predators from a distance. Large eyes help them to see potential threats beforehand. Wallabies have small, rounded ears that help them to detect sounds from large distances but are not as mobile as kangaroos.
4. Feet and tail- They have the same type of leg as kangaroos. It helps them to move forward efficiently and quickly. Tails work a little differently for wallabies. Their tails are used for communication and some species work as a defence.

Habitat and Distribution of Wallabies

Wallabies are also the natives of Australia and are found in almost all the regions except the western desert. Some places have been devoted to specific species. For example, brush-tailed rock wallabies are found in cliffs and Rocky outcrops of Eastern Australia. Swamp wallabies are found in swamps and forests of south-eastern Australia. Red wallabies are found in the wet forests of East Australia. Agile wallabies are found in the Arid regions of central Australia.

Wallabies have preferences in the regions they live. Like, some prefer to live in forests, grasslands, or Rocky areas While some prefer areas with proper food and shelter. And some species also prefer living in areas near water.

Countries like New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom, and some parts of Europe have introduced wallabies as pest species and in other places, kept in zoos.

Digestive System

Wallabies also have a digestive system like kangaroos, that extracts nutrients from tough-fibrous materials. Though there is a difference in the components and working of the digestive system. They form a four-chambered stomach, which helps them to digest cellulose. It is done by the first chamber which contains bacteria, and other microorganisms. Then the food is passed on to the other chambers, where the remaining processes take place, like digestion and absorption.

Wallabies also perform a practice which is not common in kangaroos, i.e., coprophagy. This practice involves eating faeces to extract maximum nutrients from the materials that were not completely digested, during the first pass. It helps the wallabies to extract maximum nutrients. Wallabies, who are grazers, feed on grasses, while those who are browsers eat shrubs and leaves. In places where grasses are abundant, wallabies graze for a long time, if the places lack grasses, they browse leaves and shrubs.

Difference between a Kangaroo and a Wallaby in points

• Kangaroos live in large groups, known as mobs. They are social animals and prefer each other company. Whereas wallabies are solitary animals, they do not socialise as kangaroos.
• Kangaroos have a good hopping ability that helps them cover large distances. Whereas, wallabies have more of a nimble and agile movement.
• Kangaroos and wallabies are herbivorous. Kangaroos prefer eating tougher vegetation with the help of their strong teeth. Whereas wallabies prefer eating softer vegetation, i.e., easy to chew. Wallabies also perform a practice called coprophagy. In this practice, they eat their faecal matter to derive extra nutrients from the undigested material.
• Both animals face threats like habitat loss, hunting, and road accidents. Some species of kangaroos are hunted for their meat and hides. Whereas, wallabies are killed for their meat and fur.
• Both animals have a similar life span cycle. The species of red kangaroo lives a maximum of up to 28 years in captivity. Whereas, the species of swamp wallaby lives a maximum of up to 20 years in captivity. Though these are uncommon cases but are considered by many.

Conclusion

Overall, we have discussed both similarities and dissimilarities between kangaroos and wallabies. They are the most known marsupials belonging to the same family. They form a vital part of Australia's tourist attraction part. And most people from all over come just watch kangaroos, and only a few might know about wallabies. Later, they come and find out that both are different. And together these marsupials play an essential role in the country's economy.

References

• What's the Difference Between a Wallaby and a Kangaroo? | HowStuffWorks
• 7 Difference Between Kangaroo and Wallaby (With Table) - Animal Differences
• Kangaroo - Wikipedia
• Wallaby - Wikipedia