How many species of Kangaroos are there?
This kangaroos are a diverse but recognizable group of marsupials. There are at least 65 species of kangaroos, with most being found in Australia and also New Guinea. Despite the varied range of forms, there is a common body plan to all members of this group. They are often referred to as the macropods from the scientific name of the superfamily, which translates from the Greek to mean big-footed. This term describes one of their most defining and distinctive characteristics; long toes on big feet, on the end of strong hindlegs. In contrast, the arms and hands are generally much shorter and weaker. All of the extant species belong to two families; the smaller, more primitive potoroids (rat-kangaroos, potoroos, bettongs), and the generally larger and more recently evolved macropodids (kangaroos and various wallabies). All living macropods are essentially herbivorous, the smaller ones being a little more omnivorous, and the larger ones being more standard grazers.
