#macropodiformes

[animalids]

Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

Photo by Roz Bannan

[alphynix]

An early relative of kangaroos, Balbaroo fangaroo. Known from a couple of partial skulls discovered at the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in Queensland, Australia, it lived during the Early Miocene (~23-16 mya) and was probably about the size of a cat, around 45-60cm long (18-24″) not including the tail.

It had unusually enlarged canine teeth forming prominent “fangs” -- hence its species name -- which may have been used for display and fighting in a similar manner to some ungulates such as water deer and camelids.

Based on the skeletons of other closely related species, it probably wasn’t able to hop. Instead it would have moved around quadrupedally, and the shape of its feet suggest it was also capable of climbing like a modern tree kangaroo.

[animalids]

Western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus)

Photo by Andreas Volz

[animalids]

Black stinker (Wallabia bicolor)

Photo by Stewart Monckton

[animalids]

Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

Photo by Jono Dashper

[animalids]

Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

Photo by Ryan Francis

[animalids]

Ornate tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus goodfellowi)

Photo by charliejb

[animalids]

Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

Photo by Sean Crane