Matschie's Tree Kangaroo

SSP Species / Endangered Species

Not all kangaroos are down under — some are up above!

Many zoo visitors don't expect to see kangaroos hanging around in the trees so the first time that they see a Tree kangaroo they think it is a monkey! But these little guys are kangaroos, and they do live in trees! These fascinating animals, relatives of the more familiar Red and Grey kangaroos that hop across the Australian outback, live in the rainforests of New Guinea and northern Australia and they are the only members of the kangaroo family, macropodidae, that are arboreal.

Unlike their ground-dwelling relatives,Tree kangaroos have adaptations for life in the trees such as bigger, stronger forelimbs to help them climb. Like other macropods, Tree kangaroos have big feet but their legs are shorter and able to move alternately - a definite plus for climbing. (Other kangaroo subspecies can only move their legs together at the same time, which makes climbing trees pretty much impossible). Their feet have roughened pads giving them better traction on branches. Their long, narrow tail is not prehensile but it does help them keep their balance in the trees.

Learn more about the Minnesota Zoo's Tree kangaroos