Macropods

Red kangaroo

Eastern grey kangaroo mob

Eastern grey joey kiss

Pretty-faced wallaby

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Kangaroos and their relatives come from the family Macropodidae. This family is split into two subfamilies; Sthenurinae which is represented by a sole member, the Banded Hare-wallaby, and Macropodinae which is represented by five groups including kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, rock-wallabies, pademelons, quokkas, tree-kangroos, hare-wallabies and forest wallabies. The term 'macropod' (meaning 'large-footed') is often used to describe members of this family.

They all have powerful legs that act like springs, big feet to help them hop and a long tail to help them balance. The larger kangaroo species can jump up to 3m high (10 feet) and 9m (30 feet)  long with one bounce and hop as fast as 70 km/hr (44 mph).

The differences between kangaroos and wallabies include kangaroos being bigger in size and the base of their tail is thick unlike the long, thin tail of the wallaby.

Did you know?: Lone Pine is home to Red Kangaroos, Eastern-grey Kangaroos, Swamp Wallabies,  Red-necked Wallabies, Pademelons and Wallaroos.