Baby Tree Kangaroo Joey, Taronga Zoo, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Unlike their ground dwelling kangaroo cousins the tree kangaroo contains some different characteristics that give these macropods the ability to live in trees. Tree kangaroos have shorter yet broader hind feet which contain longer curved nails, as well as sponge like grip on its paws and soles of its feet to enable a heightened climbing ability. The tree kangaroo has a much larger and pendulous tail than the ground dwelling kangaroos, giving the tree kangaroo fantastic balance while swinging from trees. The male Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo averages size is about 15.6 lbs where the average female weighs in at about 13.2 lbs. The average size of a male when measure from head to the base of the tail is about 23.3 inches long with an average tail length of 27.4 inches. The average size of a female when measure from head to the base of the tail is about 21.8 inches with an average tail length of about 27.5 inches. The tail on both the male and female of this species is the same size, if not longer than the body, proving the importance of the tail which is primarily used for balance. Tree-kangaroos do not sweat, in order to cool their bodies they lick their forearms and allow the moisture to evaporate.
Distribution and habitat
They inhabit the tropical rainforests of New Guinea and far northeastern Queensland, and some of the islands in the region — in particular the Schouten Islands and the Raja Ampat Islands near the northwestern coast of New Guinea. Although most are found in mountainous areas, several species also occur in lowlands, such as the aptly named lowlands tree-kangaroo. Most tree-kangaroos are considered threatened due to hunting and habitat destruction. Because most of their motion and living involves climbing and jumping from tree to tree, they developed better locomotion. Tree kangaroos thrive in tree tops as opposed to their cousin the kangaroo which survives on mainland in Australia. Two species of kangaroo are found in Australia, Bennett's (Dendrolagus bennetianus) which is found north of the Daintree River and Lumholtz's (Dendrolagus lumholtzi). Tree kangaroos have adapted better to regions of high altitudes. Tree kangaroos have at least fifteen known subspecies living in Papua New Guinea and Australia. Tree kangaroos must find places comfortable and well adapted for breeding as they only give birth to one joey per year. They are known to have one of the most relaxed and leisurely birthing seasons. They breed cautiously in treetops during monsoon season. Their habitats are breeding grounds for danger as they can easily fall prey to their natural predator, amethystine pythons, which also climbs and lives amongst the treetops in the forests. Tree kangaroos are known to be able to live in both mountainous regions and low-land locations.