Healesville Kangaroo Island joeys explore world outside the pouch
After being tucked away like ‘pouch potatoes’ for the past several months, four adorable Kangaroo Island joeys have started exploring the outside world for the first time. Watch the video
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Four little “roo-markable” joeys have started exploring the world outside their mothers’ pouches for the first time, in a sign that spring is just around the corner.
The four Kangaroo Island joeys, aged between six and 11 months, have shown a spring in their hop as they learn the ins and outs of life outside the pouch at Victoria’s Healesville Sanctuary.
Newborn joeys begin life at about the size of a jelly bean, before continuing their development safely tucked away like a little pouch potato for approximately 10-11 months.
They often start to make their way out of the pouch for the first time in late winter or spring, depending on when they were born.
The joeys are the offspring of young male Oscar and experienced mums Merlot, Pinot, Sherry and Penny.
While the oldest three joeys can now be seen out and about, keepers have not yet seen the face of the youngest joey in the pouch.
Healesville Sanctuary mammal keeper Poppy O’Neil said the joeys have been spending much of their time exploring the paddock, becoming familiar with their surroundings and interacting with other mob members.
“As they are getting older, they are also beginning to do zoomies and vocalise* to each other, which sounds like a very tiny yet raspy growl,” said Ms O’Neil. “I enjoy seeing how these kangaroos interact with each other as a highly social species. We are fortunate to have a multigenerational* mob, so it is quite special seeing the older more established members taking care of the younger generation joeys.
“Our oldest female is Merle who is 14. She is mother and now a grandmother.”
As their name suggests, Kangaroo Island Kangaroos come from Kangaroo Island southwest of Adelaide, South Australia. They have the thickest fur of any kangaroo species, which equips them to cope with Kangaroo Island’s harsh winters.
Behaviourally, they are a laid-back species. There are 12 Kangaroo Island kangaroos currently living at Healesville Sanctuary.
FUN FACTS ABOUT KANGAROOS
- According to Australian Traveller, Kangaroo Island kangaroos evolved slightly differently to other roos after being cut off from the mainland. As a result, they tend to be shorter and darker with thicker fur.
- There are 45 different species of kangaroo and wallaby, with the red kangaroo the largest at up to 2m long
- Kangaroos are most active at night and early in the morning, which explains why you often see them dozing during the day
- According to World Animal Protection, Kangaroos can raise one joey a year but a kangaroo mum can suckle two joeys at the same time – one inside the pouch, and another older one outside the pouch – offering two different kinds of milk
WATCH THE VIDEO
POLL
GLOSSARY
- vocalise: make noises
- multigenerational: consisting of many different generations, such as children, parents and grandparents
EXTRA READING
Happy ending for bushfire baby
Hammock haven for new quolls
No bubble trouble for curious cats
QUICK QUIZ
1. How old are the four Kangaroo Island joeys?
2. Why have they started emerging from their mothers’ pouches?
3. How long do joeys usually stay in the pouch as part of their development?
4. In what ways are the joeys starting to interact with each other?
5. What role does Merle play in the mob?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Zoomies!
Write a vivid and detailed description of what it must feel like for the joeys when they get the zoomies. Make your reader really feel like they are zooming with the joeys!
Time: Spend at least 20 minutes on this activity
Curriculum Links: English
2. Extension
Why are the joeys “roo-markable”? Use information from the story to write a report on what makes the joeys, and the Kangaroo Island kangaroos unique and important to protect.
Time: Spend at least 30 minutes on this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Geography
VCOP ACTIVITY
Read this!
A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.
Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.
Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?
Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.