During my first walk around Mt. Hagen, I was surprised to come across this Tree Kangaroo in a cage not far from my hotel. I had always assumed that all kangaroos hopped around the Australian outback! According to Wikipedia:
"Tree kangaroos are found in the rainforests of New Guinea, far north-eastern Queensland, and nearby islands, usually in mountainous areas. It is understood that they evolved from creatures similar to modern kangaroos and wallabies, as they retain many standard macropod adaptations to life in the plains—notably the massive hind legs and long, narrow feet which allow their cousins to travel fast and economically on the ground. Tree kangaroos have developed exceptionally long tails for balance, and stronger forelimbs for climbing. The feet are shorter and wider, they have longer claws on all feet, and rubbery soles for better grip. Unlike 'typical' kangaroos, who can only move by moving both feet at the same time, tree kangaroos can move their legs independently.
Tree kangaroos are slow and clumsy on the ground: they move at about walking pace and hop awkwardly, leaning their body far forward to balance the heavy tail. But in trees they are bold and agile. They climb by wrapping the forelimbs around the trunk of a tree and hopping with the powerful hind legs, allowing the forelimbs to slide. They are expert leapers: 9-metre downward jumps from one tree to another have been recorded, and they have an extraordinary ability to jump to the ground from 18 metres or more without being hurt."
The people of PNG particularly like to use their long furry tails as head ornaments.
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on Dec 13, 2006
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