CSIRO Science Image

About 33 days after mating and fertilization, a few hours before the young is born, the female red kangaroo begins to clean her pouch. This is done while standing. The female grasps the sides of the pouch with her forepaws and inserts her muzzle. The scale inside the pouch is cleaned away by licking and perhaps by biting.

Kangaroo research was carried out by CSIRO from the early 1960s to the late 1980s. The process of kangaroo reproduction was revealed for the first time by CSIRO researchers, G B Sharman and J H Calaby, providing a basis for significant research by universities and state departments from the late 1960s. A series of 13 images makes up this series DA1487, DA1497 to DA1507 and DA1509. Photograph: Ederic Slater

Photographer : Ederic Slater

Libraries and tags

•  animal behaviour   kangaroos   scientific research   native animals