Marsupial mammals presentation. Presentation on the topic "marsupial order"

general characteristics There are about 250 species. They live in Australia, New Guinea, and several species in America. The name was given for the presence of a special fold of skin on the belly in the form of a pocket, or bag, where newborns are placed. Cubs are born helpless, small, underdeveloped. Their further development occurs in the bag.

Kangaroo Features The presence of marsupial bones (special pelvic bones that are developed in both females and males). Body temperature is 3436° C. Kangaroos give birth to live young and feed them with milk. Kangaroos have a pouch for carrying their young; it opens towards the head, like an apron pocket. Special structure lower jaw, the lower ends of which are bent inward. Their fangs are absent or underdeveloped, and their molars have blunted tubercles. Kangaroos are born just a few weeks after conception, while the mother kangaroo sits in a certain position with her tail between her legs, and the baby (at this moment smaller than her little finger) crawls into her pouch, finds a nipple there and sucks on it, feeding on milk. The immune system of a newborn kangaroo is not formed, so mother kangaroo milk has a strong antibacterial effect. Contrary to popular belief, male kangaroos do not have a pouch, but only females do. It is much easier for kangaroos to move around during their long hops than to walk or hop little by little!

Opossums The dimensions of opossums are small: body length 750 cm, tail 4-55 cm. The muzzle is elongated and pointed. The tail is entirely or only at the end bare, prehensile, sometimes thickened at the base with fat deposits. The body is covered with short, thick fur, the color of which varies from gray and yellowish-brown to black. The structure of the dental system, limbs, and bag indicates the primitiveness of opossums. Their limbs are shortened, five-fingered; the big toe of the hind limb is opposed to the other toes and lacks a claw. Hind legs usually more developed than the anterior ones. The dental formula is archaic: a full row of incisors (5 per upper jaw and 4 on the lower), well-developed canines and sharply tuberculated molars. All opossums have 50 teeth. Opossums are inhabitants of forests, steppes and semi-deserts; found both on plains and in mountains up to 4000 m above sea level. Most lead a terrestrial or arboreal lifestyle; the aquatic possum is semi-aquatic. Active at dusk and at night. Omnivores or insectivores. Outside the mating season they lead a solitary lifestyle.

Koalas, or Marsupial Bears The koala is a medium-sized animal with a dense build: its body length is 6082 cm; weight from 5 to 16 kg. The tail is very short and invisible from the outside. The head is large and wide, with a flattened “face”. The ears are large, rounded, covered with thick fur. The eyes are small. The bridge of the nose is hairless and black. There are cheek pouches. The limbs of the koala are adapted for climbing; the thumb and index fingers of the forelimbs and limbs are opposed to the rest, which allows the animal to grasp tree branches. The claws are strong and sharp, capable of supporting the weight of the animal. There is no claw on the big toe of the hind limbs. Koalas inhabit eucalyptus forests, spending almost their entire lives in the crowns of these trees. During the day, the koala sleeps (1822 hours a day), sitting on a branch or in the forks of branches; At night it climbs trees, looking for food. The koala's slowness is associated with its feeding habits. It has adapted to feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus shoots and leaves, which are fibrous and contain little protein, but a lot of phenolic and terpene compounds that are poisonous to most animals. To avoid poisoning, koalas choose to eat only those types of eucalyptus trees that contain fewer phenolic compounds.

Predatory Marsupials Predatory marsupials (lat. Dayuromorphia) are a detachment of Australian marsupials (Metatheria). Most meat-eating marsupials belong to this order. All of them are agile and skilled hunters, feeding on insects or vertebrates depending on their size. Some species feed on carrion. European settlers named many species after the familiar planar predators living in Europe, for example, the marsupial wolf or the marsupial marten.

Marsupial anteaters Marsupial anteater, nambat, anteater (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is a mammal of the family of marsupial anteaters; the only representative of the family of the same name. The dimensions of this marsupial are small: body length cm, tail 1317 cm. The weight of an adult animal ranges from 280 to 550 g; males are larger than females. The head of the marsupial anteater is flattened, the muzzle is elongated and pointed, and the mouth is small. The teeth of the marsupial anteater are very small, weak and often asymmetrical: the molars on the right and left can have different lengths and widths. In total, the nambat has 5052 teeth. The hair of the nambat is thick and hard. The numbat is one of the most beautiful marsupials in Australia: it is colored grayish-brown or reddish. The fur on the back and upper thighs is covered with 612 white or cream stripes. The eastern nambats have a more uniform coloration than the western ones. A black longitudinal stripe is visible on the muzzle. The belly and limbs are yellow-white, buffy.

Marsupial martens Marsupial martens, or marsupial cats (Dasyurus) are a genus of mammals of the family of predatory marsupials. The name was given due to some resemblance to real martens and cats. Also called "quolls". Body length 2575 cm, tail 2060 cm; weight varies from 900 g (Dasyurus hallucatus) to 47 kg (Dasyurus maculatus). Females are smaller. The body hair is usually short, dense and soft; the tail is covered more long hair. The ears are relatively small. The color on the back and sides is from gray-yellow to black with numerous white spots; on the belly white, gray or yellow. Females have 68 nipples. The brood pouch develops only during the breeding season and opens back towards the tail; the rest of the time it is represented by folds of skin that limit the milky field in front and on the sides. Well developed canines and molars.

Marsupial moles Marsupial moles are so different from other marsupials that they are separated into a separate family. They have a strong, ridged body ending in a small (1226 mm) conical tail. The body length is only 1518 cm, and the weight is 4070 g. The neck is short; five cervical vertebrae are fused, increasing the rigidity of the neck. The tail is hard to the touch, with ring scales and a keratinized tip. Short, five-toed paws are well suited for digging. The claws are unevenly developed. The third and fourth fingers of the forelimbs are armed with large triangular claws; with their help the mole digs the ground. The claws on the hind feet are flattened, and the foot is adapted for throwing away dug sand. The hair of marsupial moles is thick, soft and beautiful. Its color varies from white to pinkish-brown and golden. Its reddish tint is given by iron, which is rich in the red sand of the Australian deserts.

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Presentation on the topic: marsupials

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KANGAROO If you, dear friends, are asked who is the best jumper in the world, you can answer without hesitation – kangaroo. In Australia and some islands around it, and only these amazing animals live there, there are about 50 species of kangaroos. There is a myth about the very origin of the name - kangaroo. When Europeans first landed on the shores of Australia, the first animal they saw was a kangaroo. When asked what it was called, the aborigine replied: “I don’t understand.” This phrase sounded like a kangaroo. Not knowing the local language, the Europeans thought that this was the name of the animal, and began to call it that - kangaroo. Currently, linguists are disputing this myth, but I think, be that as it may, no one will change the usual name.

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Kangaroos feed on tubers and roots, which they deftly dig out with their clawed paws. These seemingly peaceful animals still know how to stand up for themselves (for example, in front of a dingo (thylacine) dog). To do this, they use strong hind legs. Kangaroos instantly transfer the weight of their powerful body to the tail and deliver a terrible blow with their hind limbs. On their hind legs, kangaroos have 4 toes with long and sharp claws like knives. True, most often animals flee for their lives. Pushing off with powerful hind legs, kangaroos rush with huge leaps up to 12 meters in length and about 3 meters in height. No other animal in the world can jump like that.

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The birth and raising of kangaroo babies is of no less interest. Even in the zoo you can sometimes see a curious little face suddenly peeking out of the pouch on the mother’s belly. At the slightest danger, the baby kangaroo hides. A kangaroo's pouch is a deep fold of skin that occupies almost the entire abdomen. The baby kangaroo is born blind, naked and tiny. Imagine, a kangaroo with a tail more than 2.5 meters long gives birth to a baby only 3 cm long. Once born, the baby immediately sets off on its first journey. Clinging to the mother’s fur with its sharp claws, the baby kangaroo crawls into the pouch. The mother feeds the baby with milk for about 65 days. But the baby kangaroo hides in its pouch from danger or cold until it is eight months old.

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Currently, the kangaroo population is not threatened. In Australia, kangaroo hunting is common. They hunt them for delicious meat and strong skin. But, as you understand, everything is good in moderation. And if the hunt for kangaroos is left to its own devices, this can change the situation, and not for the better.

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The numbat or in other words the anteater (not to be confused with the anteater) is one of the most toothy mammals on Earth. There are 52 teeth in his mouth. True, one cannot say that they are large; rather, they are even underdeveloped, but their number speaks volumes about amazing facts. Until recently, scientists believed that Numbat is a direct descendant of Mesozoic marsupial insectivores - the ancestors of all marsupials in general. And if so, then the numbat is the oldest mammal on Earth. The numbat or in other words the anteater (not to be confused with the anteater) is one of the most toothy mammals on Earth. There are 52 teeth in his mouth. True, one cannot say that they are large, rather they are even underdeveloped, but their number speaks of amazing facts. Until recently, scientists believed that Numbat is a direct descendant of Mesozoic marsupial insectivores - the ancestors of all marsupials in general. And if so, then the numbat is the oldest mammal on Earth.

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But recently, naturalists have reconsidered the position of the ant-eater and came to the following conclusion: such a huge number of teeth are the consequences of evolutionary development, so to speak, adaptability to a way of life. After all, the numbat needs to grind, although fragile, the shells of termites and ants, and in huge quantities. After all, the animal received its name “anteater” only because its menu consists exclusively of these insects.

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The originality of the numbat also lies in the fact that although it is a marsupial, it... does not have a bag. “How?”, you ask. That's how. Babies, just born, crawl along their mother’s fur to the nipples, and after sucking on them with their mouths, they simply hang. And only when they grow up, become stronger and heavier, do they begin to hold on with their paws. No other animal in Australia can boast of this feature. This is observed only in some opossums, which are known to live overseas - in America.

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Anteaters prefer to live alone. At night they sleep in a woven nest in a hollow or under some fallen tree. Even if he climbs trees, he doesn’t climb very high. Their sleep is unusual. They become numb, like some animals during hibernation. Because of this peculiarity of sleep, the numbat often becomes a victim of foxes brought to Australia and heavily breeding.

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During the day, the numbat goes fishing. It digs the ground, albeit shallowly, tears apart rotten wood with strong claws, all with one goal - to find its favorite termites. He sticks his long and thin nose into every crevice and quickly throws out long tongue, licks insects.

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Only two species, and only in Australia, and only in a very limited area, are anteaters found. The existence of numbats is under severe threat today. And, God forbid, I don’t have to move this article to the “extinct animals” section.

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The koala is probably the cutest marsupial I have ever met. Externally, the koala is very similar to a bear cub. Small eyes, protruding ears, a funny nose and very thick light gray fur make this animal very attractive. The body length of an adult koala can reach 85 cm, and body weight up to 15 kg. The koala is probably the cutest marsupial I have ever met. Externally, the koala is very similar to a bear cub. Small eyes, protruding ears, a funny nose and very thick light gray fur make this animal very attractive. The body length of an adult koala can reach 85 cm, and body weight up to 15 kg.

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The koala's limbs are very well adapted to life in trees, so they practically do not climb down from the tree, and if they do, it is only to climb to another tree. Koalas do this at night, because during the day they either sleep or simply sit motionless on the branches. Since the diet of these animals includes only leaves of eucalyptus trees, they are found only in eucalyptus forests. Interestingly, most eucalyptus leaves contain a large number of cyenelic acid. Because of this, koalas have to carefully sort through them in order to choose a leaf with a low acid content. For example, out of 800 species of eucalyptus, they eat only 120 species. One individual requires up to one and a half days. During the breeding season from October to February, koalas gather in groups of up to 6 individuals, one of them is a male. Mating also occurs in trees. Pregnancy lasts a little more than one month. As a rule, only one baby is born per litter, which weighs about 5 grams and has a body length of no more than 2 cm. For six months after birth, the baby remains in the mother’s pouch, like a kangaroo, wombat or possum. The koala's limbs are very well adapted to life in trees, so they practically do not climb down from the tree, and if they do, it is only to climb to another tree. Koalas do this at night, because during the day they either sleep or simply sit motionless on the branches. Since the diet of these animals includes only leaves of eucalyptus trees, they are found only in eucalyptus forests. Interestingly, most eucalyptus leaves contain large amounts of cyenelic acid. Because of this, koalas have to carefully sort through them in order to choose a leaf with a low acid content. For example, out of 800 species of eucalyptus, they eat only 120 species. One individual requires up to one and a half days. During the breeding season from October to February, koalas gather in groups of up to 6 individuals, one of them is a male. Mating also occurs in trees. Pregnancy lasts a little more than one month. As a rule, only one baby is born per litter, which weighs about 5 grams and has a body length of no more than 2 cm. For six months after birth, the baby remains in the mother’s pouch, like a kangaroo, wombat or possum.

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After this period, he will move on his mother’s back for another six months, clinging to him. Female koalas leave their parents at the age of 12-18 months, males do this much later - at 2-3 years. The average lifespan of a koala is 12 years, although individuals as young as 20 years have been seen. Since 1924, more than 2 million koalas have been killed in Australia, so the government has banned hunting of these animals. On this moment Their main danger is considered to be fires and deforestation of eucalyptus trees. Today the koala population is 50,000 individuals. And I sincerely hope that the number of koalas will increase every year. her fur. After this period, he will move on his mother’s back for another six months, clinging to him. Female koalas leave their parents at the age of 12-18 months, males do this much later - at 2-3 years. The average lifespan of a koala is 12 years, although individuals as young as 20 years have been seen. Since 1924, more than 2 million koalas have been killed in Australia, so the government has banned hunting of these animals. At the moment, their main danger is considered to be fires and deforestation of eucalyptus trees. Today the koala population is 50,000 individuals. And I sincerely hope that the number of koalas will increase every year. her fur.

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Female koalas leave their parents at the age of 12-18 months, males do this much later - at 2-3 years. The average lifespan of a koala is 12 years, although individuals as young as 20 years have been seen. Since 1924, more than 2 million koalas have been killed in Australia, so the government has banned hunting of these animals. At the moment, their main danger is considered to be fires and deforestation of eucalyptus trees. Today the koala population is 50,000 individuals. And I sincerely hope that the number of koalas will increase every year. Female koalas leave their parents at the age of 12-18 months, males do this much later - at 2-3 years. The average lifespan of a koala is 12 years, although individuals as young as 20 years have been seen. Since 1924, more than 2 million koalas have been killed in Australia, so the government has banned hunting of these animals. At the moment, their main danger is considered to be fires and deforestation of eucalyptus trees. Today the koala population is 50,000 individuals. And I sincerely hope that the number of koalas will increase every year.

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Marsupial mouse The marsupial mouse is a predator, like the marsupial wolf, marsupial marten or marsupial devil. Yes, yes, I didn’t make a reservation, it’s a predator. The size of her victims, however, is smaller than that of others. But, say, it kills an ordinary mouse without difficulty, even if it is larger than a marsupial mouse.

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These small predators also do not complain about their appetite. Once we observed one of the smallest representatives of marsupial mice (there are 39 species of them in Australia). This little one ate a lizard along with bones and skin in just one night, and even ate five larvae chafer. All this weighed almost one and a half times more than the marsupial mouse itself weighed. These small predators also do not complain about their appetite. Once we observed one of the smallest representatives of marsupial mice (there are 39 species of them in Australia). In just one night, this little one ate a lizard, along with its bones and skin, and even ate five May beetle larvae. All this weighed almost one and a half times more than the marsupial mouse itself weighed.

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The female brings up to 10 babies. At first, as expected, they sit in the pouch of marsupials, and when they mature a little, they move to their mother’s back. So she travels with them. If danger suddenly arises, the marsupial mouse shakes off its young and runs away, taking the enemy with it. At this time, the kids scatter in all directions and hide wherever they can. Later, the mother always returns and calls her offspring to her with a gentle squeak. They answer her with the same squeak and quickly come running from all sides. The female brings up to 10 babies. At first, as expected, they sit in the pouch of marsupials, and when they mature a little, they move to their mother’s back. So she travels with them. If danger suddenly arises, the marsupial mouse shakes off its young and runs away, taking the enemy with it. At this time, the kids scatter in all directions and hide wherever they can. Later, the mother always returns and calls her offspring to her with a gentle squeak. They answer her with the same squeak and quickly come running from all sides.

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As I said above, there are 39 known species of marsupial mice. They are all different and unlike each other. Some of them look like rats, mice or shrews, others like jerboas or even miniature kangaroos. They also differ greatly in size - they range in size from a small mouse to a large squirrel. But one thing they have in common is that they are all carnivores, which means they are predators. As I said above, there are 39 known species of marsupial mice. They are all different and unlike each other. Some of them look like rats, mice or shrews, others like jerboas or even miniature kangaroos. They also differ greatly in size - they range in size from a small mouse to a large squirrel. But one thing they have in common is that they are all carnivores, which means they are predators.

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The animal called the marsupial devil is not called that for nothing. This beast is not just a predator, but truly a devil in the flesh. He is angry to the point of rage and even the sounds that the marsupial devil makes are similar to a roar with some kind of creepy cough. The animal called the marsupial devil is not called that for nothing. This beast is not just a predator, but truly a devil in the flesh. He is angry to the point of rage and even the sounds that the marsupial devil makes are similar to a roar with some kind of creepy cough.

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The marsupial devil is stocky, tightly built, all black and only small white spots on the sides, chest and rump add a little elegance appearance. The disproportionately large mouth “is equipped with powerful jaws. With their help, the marsupial devil can defeat even big dog, despite the fact that its own dimensions do not exceed one meter in length, and then together with the tail. The marsupial devil is stocky, tightly built, all black and only small white spots on the sides, chest and rump add a little elegance to its appearance. The disproportionately large mouth “is equipped with powerful jaws. With their help, the marsupial devil can defeat even a large dog, despite the fact that its own dimensions do not exceed one meter in length, and then together with the tail.

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The marsupial devil eats any flesh food - frogs, lizards, rats, wallabies and even parrots. With great pleasure, the predator also takes advantage of the seafood that the waves bring to the shore. For this purpose, marsupial devils often take walks along the coast. The marsupial devil eats any food made of flesh - frogs, lizards, rats, wallabies and even parrots. With great pleasure, the predator also takes advantage of the seafood that the waves bring to the shore. For this purpose, marsupial devils often take walks along the coast.

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But the diet of these predators is not limited to the above animals. Many chicken coops and sheepfolds suffered from attacks by marsupial devils. Chicken or sheep are simply a delicacy for a predator. For this, farmers simply hated the marsupial devil. They exterminated the animal everywhere and achieved results. Now these peculiar predators remain only in the mountains of Tasmania. Although some naturalists are convinced that they also live in remote places on the mainland. But the diet of these predators is not limited to the above animals. Many chicken coops and sheepfolds suffered from attacks by marsupial devils. Chicken or sheep are simply a delicacy for a predator. For this, farmers simply hated the marsupial devil. They exterminated the animal everywhere and achieved results. Now these peculiar predators remain only in the mountains of Tasmania. Although some naturalists are convinced that they also live in remote places on the mainland.

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Around May, the female marsupial devil gives birth to four babies. Until September they live in their mother's pouch, which, like other predators, opens back. In September, the little devils leave the pouch and live in a nest made by a caring mother. The kids are very active - they run, jump and climb trees with pleasure, which adult marsupial devils can no longer do. Around May, the female marsupial devil gives birth to four babies. Until September they live in their mother's pouch, which, like other predators, opens back. In September, the little devils leave the pouch and live in a nest made by a caring mother. The kids are very active - they run, jump and climb trees with pleasure, which adult marsupial devils can no longer do.

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Family Opossums This family includes the oldest and least specialized marsupials, which appeared at the end of the Cretaceous period and have changed little since then. All living members of the possum family inhabit the New World, although fossil forms are known from the Tertiary deposits of Europe. Most marsupials South America became extinct after the emergence of a natural bridge between the South and North America, along which new species began to penetrate from north to south. Only possums were able to withstand the competition and even spread north.

Description The dimensions of opossums are small: body length 750 cm, tail 455 cm. The muzzle is elongated and pointed. The tail is entirely or only at the end bare, prehensile, sometimes thickened at the base with fat deposits. The body is covered with short, thick fur, the color of which varies from gray and yellowish-brown to black.

The structure of the dental system, limbs, and bag indicates the primitiveness of opossums. Their limbs are shortened, five-fingered; the big toe of the hind limb is opposed to the other toes and lacks a claw. The hind legs are usually more developed than the front legs. The dental formula is archaic: a full row of incisors (5 on the upper jaw and 4 on the lower jaw), well-developed canines and sharply tuberculated molars. All opossums have 50 teeth.

Diet Although opossums are classified as carnivores due to their teeth, they are practically omnivores. They are primarily scavengers and feed on carrion. These animals also eat insects such as cicadas, frogs, birds, snakes, different kinds fruits, earthworms and even the remains of other animals that died on the highway. The animal has a number of natural enemies in its environment: this predator birds, such as owls and eagles, as well as foxes, dogs, cats. These animals are part of the ecosystem, the earth's food chain. By consuming insects, fruits, small animals and other foods, they themselves provide food for coyotes, foxes, snakes and birds of prey.

Habitat: Opossums are distributed from southeastern Canada to Argentina. They are also found in the Lesser Antilles. Opossums are inhabitants of forests, steppes and semi-deserts; found both on plains and in mountains up to 4000 m above sea level. Most lead a terrestrial or arboreal lifestyle; the water possum is semi-aquatic.

Active at dusk and at night. Omnivores or insectivores. Some opossums carry their young in a pouch, which travels with the mother, holding onto the fur on her back. Sexual maturity occurs at 6-8 months of age; life expectancy 58 years. In general, opossums play the same role in the New World as representatives of the insectivorous order on other continents.

Behavioral Features: A wounded or very frightened opossum falls, pretending to be dead. At the same time, his eyes become glassy, ​​foam flows from his mouth, and an unpleasant odor is emitted. This imaginary death often saves the opossum’s life; the pursuer, after sniffing the motionless body, usually leaves. You can kick the animal or throw it away; it still won’t give itself away. Some time later, the possum “comes to life” and runs away.

Appearance and distribution

• Giant kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
• Based paleontological studies, marsupials were very common in Mesozoic, but subsequently them, like cloacal, supplanted placental from most continents. The time of appearance of marsupials, according to some estimates, is ~ 186-193 million years ago ( Jurassic period).The oldest fossil remains of marsupials are considered to be those found in sediments Cretaceous period provinces Liaoning, in northeast China, remains of a mammal Sinodelphys szalayi 125 million years old.
• Most marsupials South America became extinct after the emergence of a natural bridge between the South and North America, along which new species began to penetrate from north to south (“ great inter-american exchange"). Only opossums were able to withstand the competition and even spread to the north.
• Unlike South America Australian The world of marsupials, as a result of geographical isolation, has survived to this day, but after the appearance person 45,000 years ago and here it underwent significant changes. According to a widely accepted hypothesis, all species of large marsupials were extirpated by settlers soon after they settled in Australia. There are, however, studies that claim that large marsupials coexisted with humans until 15,000 years ago and became extinct as a result of the cold and droughts of the latter ice age. According to this hypothesis, the reason for their extinction was not humans, but their insufficient adaptive ability. The influence of man, as well as the species he brought, however, cannot be denied.

General information

• Sugar Flying possum has a flight membrane
• Marsupials occupy various ecological niches; there are species that lead an underground lifestyle ( marsupial mole), some animals, such as various opossums And koalas They climb well; there are also representatives that lead a semi-aquatic lifestyle ( water possum). Among marsupials there are insectivores , predatory And herbivores kinds. Depending on their lifestyle, animals have various adaptations to a specific habitat: a prehensile tail for climbing ( Virginia opossum), powerful claws for digging ( marsupial mole) etc. Also, their embryonic period is very short. The cubs are born small and poorly developed. Additional development occurs in the mother's pouch. The cub grabs the mother's nipple and hangs on it. By contracting special muscles, the mother periodically injects milk into the baby's mouth. The cubs are fed milk for about 2 months. And they stay in the bag for 9-10 months

Structure

• Body sizes vary greatly: from 10 cm ( marsupial mice) up to 3 m ( big red kangaroo). Body temperature is lower than that of most mammals: 34-36 degrees.
• One of the features of the skeletal structure of marsupials is the presence marsupial bones- special bones pelvis. They also have a different structure from other mammals lower jaw, the rear ends of which are bent inward. Based on the structure of the dental system, marsupials can be divided into two groups: two-incisor and multi-incisor. Quantity incisors largely depends on the animal’s lifestyle. For example, in primitive insectivorous and carnivorous forms the number of incisors is especially large - on each half of the jaw they have five at the top and four at the bottom. Herbivorous animals do not have more than one incisor on each side of the lower jaw.
• Some species may lack a bursa ( marsupial anteater); can be expressed only by a small fold limiting the milky field. In some marsupials, the pouch can open backwards ( koala)

• It’s a different matter with kangaroos, which jump on their hind legs, using their tail to maintain balance at high speed, or on all four limbs, and then the tail serves as an additional point of support. On open spaces large kangaroos can move very quickly: their speed reaches 65 km/h, and the length of their jumps is 7.5 m or more.

The sugar glider has a body length of 27.5 to 40 cm, with a bushy tail accounting for 15-20 cm of this length. In appearance and size, the sugar glider is similar to our common squirrel, although thanks to the flight membrane, it seems unusually wide. There is sexual dimorphism in size: males are larger than females. The weight of adult males ranges from 115 to 160 g, while the weight of females varies from 100 to 135 g. The head of the flying possum is relatively short and flat with a somewhat pointed muzzle, the neck is short and rather thick. The legs are small, the feet are five-toed.

The Virginia opossum, when threatened, first hisses and then secretes a foul-smelling liquid. But if these tricks do not scare off the attacker, the opossum falls into a peculiar coma. He lies motionless, his tongue hanging out, his limbs become stiff and lose visible sensitivity, his breathing and heartbeat slow down so that they are almost unnoticeable. This happens in moments of danger, but even under normal conditions, the metabolism of opossums and other marsupials is less intense than that of placental mammals, the body temperature is lower, and the heart beats less often.

Wombats and moles

Wombats and marsupial moles dig holes with powerful front paws with spade-shaped claws. Tearing up the ground, the mole covers the passage behind itself with its hind limbs. Sometimes it travels across the surface of the earth for short distances. The stocky, badger-sized wombat digs tunnels up to 30 m long.

Marsupial anteater

• The marsupial anteater feeds mainly on ants and termites, opening their homes with its front paws with powerful claws and sticking its long snout with a sticky tongue inside.

• The gigantic marsupial marten with its long body and short tenacious paws deftly climbs trees, but sometimes descends to the ground. It feeds on small animals and eggs, and hunts mainly at night.

• Marsupial mice, or mousebirds, feed on insects and other small animals. Thanks to their flattened heads, they are able to climb into narrow crevices.

Disappeared in 1934

• Tasmanian wolf, the largest marsupial predator. In pursuit of prey, including kangaroos, he gained the upper hand not through speed, but through endurance.

Marsupials of Australia Presentation for a geography lesson, grade 7

Kangaroo A magnificent, strong, graceful animal. The kangaroo genus includes 14 species, the most numerous and largest in size (up to 3 m) are the gray and red kangaroo (see photo). Kangaroos usually live in herds of 10-12 individuals. These are herbivores. Their cubs are born very small (2.5 – 3 cm), they live and develop in their mother’s pouch. The most terrible of natural enemies kangaroos - midges. These insects attack kangaroos going to watering holes, get into their eyes and sting so much that the kangaroos go blind. But the main enemy of the kangaroo is the person who hunts them for their skin, meat, or to protect their fields.

Koala is Australia's favorite animal. "Koala" means "don't drink" in the language of one of the Australian tribes. The koala has a very interesting appearance. He likes to sit motionless on a tree, grasping a branch with his front paws. Usually the koala is silent, but when scared and wounded, he screams and cries like a child. The koala is nocturnal and feeds exclusively on eucalyptus leaves, which is very surprising, because they contain poison - hydrocyanic acid, which can kill a sheep that has eaten a few leaves. Newborn cubs are only 15-18 mm and weigh 5 g. The mother carries the grown-up cub not in a bag, but on herself and takes very gentle care of it. In nature, the koala has no enemies, because... its meat is soaked in eucalyptus oil. But a person destroying eucalyptus forests greatly affects the number of these animals.

Marsupial comb-tailed rat This inhabitant of rocky and sandy deserts was found in Central Australia only at the end of the 19th century. His way of life is almost not studied.

Marsupial comb-tailed mouse The marsupial mouse lives in the Australian deserts. She often lies spread out like a lizard and basks in the sun. This mouse is very gluttonous. It is easily tamed by humans and lives well in captivity, destroying many house mice.

Marsupial marten This animal has a second name - tiger cat. The length of her body is 60 cm, and her tail is 50 cm! This is a ferocious predator, capable of taking down large cats and even dogs. Lives in the forests of Eastern Australia. The marsupial marten is a nocturnal predator, feeding on birds, rabbits and even young kangaroos.

Marsupial Tasmanian devil This animal looks like a small bear (body length 50 cm). The repulsive expression of his muzzle, black fur, ominous growl and bloodthirstiness gave rise to his name. The devil began to destroy the poultry of the first European settlers of Australia, his ominous voice caused panic, so he was mercilessly exterminated. Currently, the devil is found only in Tasmania.

Wombat This is a good-natured fat marsupial, up to 1 meter long and weighing up to 40 kg. It has strong limbs adapted for digging, with the help of which the animal digs large holes. The wombat is nocturnal and feeds exclusively on plant foods (usually sedges). The wombat's main enemy is man.

Marsupial wolf This is the largest and strongest animal among the predatory marsupials, but there is no reliable information about its existence (it was last seen in 1960). The wolf reaches a length of 1.8 m; the shape of the muzzle, ears, and thick tail at the base are features that make the marsupial wolf similar to other marsupials. It is a nocturnal animal that hunts small mammals and birds. Sheep and poultry, brought to Tasmania by Europeans, became the wolf's favorite food, for which he was mercilessly exterminated. And when the dingo was brought to Tasmania, the wolf had a bad time. Some scientists believe that it was dingoes that exterminated the marsupial wolf on the continent, and then on the island.

Marsupial jerboa This small animal makes jumps up to 2 m in length. He lives in the savannas of Eastern Australia and the Central Australian Desert. The animal is insectivorous and nocturnal.

Marsupial dwarf flying squirrel The marsupial flying squirrel is a small animal capable of gliding flight that inhabits the eucalyptus forests of Eastern Australia. This nocturnal animal, feeding on nectar and termites, builds a round nest from eucalyptus leaves. The mother “stores” her cubs in the pouch for a long time.

Internet resources: http://www.zooclub.ru http://www.florafauna.ru