Kangaroo vs Wallaby
Kangaroo and Wallaby are very similar in appearance that many get deceived by mistaking one for the other when, strictly speaking, there is some difference between kangaroo and wallaby. It is for sure that both the animals belong to the Marsupial family. Kangaroos are found only in Australia and New Guinea. Wallabies are found primarily in Australia and on nearby islands. They both have the habit of carrying their young ones in pouches. Both kangaroos and wallabies are very interesting creatures, which makes finding the difference between them very important. This article presents to you those differences that exist between kangaroo and wallaby.
Facts about Kangaroo
A kangaroo is a Marsupial. Also, kangaroo is the common name that is used to identify different species such as Red Kangaroo, Grey Kangaroo, antilopine Kangaroo, etc. Moreover, the kangaroo is the name that is actually used to identify the largest species of the Marsupial family. A kangaroo can grow up to a height of 8 feet. Also, a kangaroo can weigh up to 91 kilos. The kangaroo legs are structured to be wide apart. That means the knees of a kangaroo are wide apart too. As a result of this wide leg structure, a kangaroo is fast. The skin of a kangaroo is not very bright. The coat of a kangaroo is seen mostly in the brown. Red kangaroo is known as the largest surviving marsupial anywhere in the world. Kangaroos are endemic to Australia.
Facts about Wallaby
A wallaby can at the most weigh up to 24 kilos. A wallaby can grow to a maximum height of about 24 inches only. However, the National Geographic website says that the largest wallaby can reach 6 feet (from head to tail). The structure of the legs of a wallaby is more compact when compared to those of a kangaroo which stand wide apart. As a result, the wallaby with its compact legs can maneuver nicely in dense forest regions. It can be said that the skin of a wallaby has the natural sheen or glow. It is also important to know that a wallaby is more agile due its compact legs. There are many wallaby species and these creatures are roughly divided according to their habitat. For example, there are shrub wallabies, brush wallabies and rock wallabies.
The informal name for the Australian international rugby union team is The Wallabies.
What is the difference between Kangaroo and Wallaby?
• A kangaroo is bigger than a wallaby. As a result, it is heavier and taller than a wallaby.
• Kangaroo legs are wide apart while wallaby legs are compact.
• As a result, the legs of a kangaroo are such that they are helpful in running very fast. On the contrary, the wallaby with its compact legs can maneuver nicely in dense forest regions.
• The skin of a wallaby has the natural sheen or glow whereas the skin of a kangaroo is not very bright.
• The coat of wallaby can be seen in different colors whereas the coat of a kangaroo is seen mostly in the brown.
• There are different types of wallabies as shrub wallabies, brush wallabies and rock wallabies.
Images Courtesy:
- Red Kangaroo via Wikicommons (Public Domain)
- Wallaby by Cookaa (GFDL)
