Wheeling in Ohio County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Kangaroo or Wallaby? / Are Kangaroos Rare?
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 22, 2022
1. Kangaroo or Wallaby? / Are Kangaroos Rare? Marker
Kangaroo or Wallaby?
The difference between kangaroos and wallabies is size! The largest species of kangaroo can reach 6 feet in height. Wallabies are 3½ feet tall or less.
Kangaroos and wallabies belong to a group of animals known as macropods. Macropod means "big foot"!
All macropods move by hopping. Hopping is a great way to move around quickly from one place to another. A tendon in their leg acts like a rubber band, storing energy that is released when hopping.
There are more than 60 species of macropods found in Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania.
Are Kangaroos Rare?
The species in this exhibit are not endangered; in fact they are quite common.
Kangaroo populations have increased dramatically in many areas of Australia. This is due to the extinction of their natural predators and newer farming methods that provide kangaroos with plenty of food and water. In these areas, culling (harvesting) of the animals is done to protect the environment and maintain the health of the remaining kangaroos.
Erected by
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 22, 2022
2. Kangaroo or Wallaby? / Are Kangaroos Rare? Marker
This marker is in an enclosed exhibit where the zoo's visitors may walk along the pavement and interact with the wallabies.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Environment.
Location. 40° 5.982′ N, 80° 40.199′ W. Marker is in Wheeling, West Virginia, in Ohio County. Marker is on Zoo Circle, 0.1 miles north of Waddington Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 208 Zoo Cir, Wheeling WV 26003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Serval (within shouting distance of this marker); Race For Survival! (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Red Wolf (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Red Wolf (about 500 feet away); Grevy's Zebra (about 600 feet away); Pallas's Cat Conservation (about 800 feet away); South Lawn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bobcat (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wheeling.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 24, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
