Big-eared opossum vs red kangaroo

Didelphis aurita compared with Macropus rufus

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Big-eared opossum	red kangaroo
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Didelphimorphia (Didelphimorphia)	Diprotodontia (Marsupials)
Family	Didelphidae	Macropodidae (Kangaroos)
Genus	Didelphis	Macropus (Kangaroos)
Species	Didelphis aurita	Macropus rufus

Evolutionary Relationship

Big-eared opossum and red kangaroo share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Big-eared opossum

LC — Least Concern

red kangaroo

LC — Least Concern

Population: ~11.5M

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Big-eared opossum	red kangaroo
Diet	—	Herbivore
Average Lifespan	—	16 years
Average Length	—	1.6 m
Average Weight	—	85.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Big-eared opossum

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

red kangaroo

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, forests, and vegetated habitats.

Range

Found in Australia.

Big-eared opossum

The Big-eared opossum (Didelphis aurita) is a species in the genus Didelphis. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

red kangaroo

The largest kangaroo and largest marsupial on Earth, red kangaroos can stand 2 meters tall and weigh 90 kg, inhabiting the arid and semi-arid regions of inland Australia. Highly adapted to harsh desert conditions, they can survive without drinking water for long periods by extracting moisture from vegetation. Powerful hind legs enable 9-meter leaps and speeds up to 70 km/h. Males engage in ritualistic boxing contests to compete for females.