The red kangaroo
The Red kangaroo lives in central Australia, with summer conditions of hot dry 25-35 degrees Celsius
structural adaptations
the female red kangaroo spends most of her adult life pregnant but in drought times she has the ability to indefinitely "freeze" the development of the young embryo until food sources are replenished. Red kangaroos are able to travel long distances at a high speed, expending very little energy. They are very energy-efficient, and this is linked directly to the physical action of bringing their hind legs up with each hop. Every hop literally refills the lungs. The kangaroo has has a great hearing ability. it will twitch its ears interdependently to be able to detect where specific sounds are coming from.
physiological adaptations
in hotter days the kangaroos fur will reflect the heat from the sun. 30% of incoming radiation is reflected off the animal. animals cool their body temperature which includes panting licking their fur to remove moisture and thus cooling them and sweating. to keep warm in cooler temperatures the kangaroo uses its fur as insulation and shivers to produce heat.
behavioural adaptations
a kangaroo will travel as a group (a mob) which helps them survive against predators. Kangaroos are mostly active during the cooler day hours being in the early morning or in the late evening so that they don't get to hot during the day.
structural adaptations
the female red kangaroo spends most of her adult life pregnant but in drought times she has the ability to indefinitely "freeze" the development of the young embryo until food sources are replenished. Red kangaroos are able to travel long distances at a high speed, expending very little energy. They are very energy-efficient, and this is linked directly to the physical action of bringing their hind legs up with each hop. Every hop literally refills the lungs. The kangaroo has has a great hearing ability. it will twitch its ears interdependently to be able to detect where specific sounds are coming from.
physiological adaptations
in hotter days the kangaroos fur will reflect the heat from the sun. 30% of incoming radiation is reflected off the animal. animals cool their body temperature which includes panting licking their fur to remove moisture and thus cooling them and sweating. to keep warm in cooler temperatures the kangaroo uses its fur as insulation and shivers to produce heat.
behavioural adaptations
a kangaroo will travel as a group (a mob) which helps them survive against predators. Kangaroos are mostly active during the cooler day hours being in the early morning or in the late evening so that they don't get to hot during the day.