ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Detroit Zoo says six red kangaroo joeys are growing both in and out of their mothers' pouches. Two of them, named Shelia and Isa, can be seen today at the zoo exploring in their habitat.
The four youngest joeys were born this year and are still hidden in the pouch. When they finally emerge six months later, the Detroit Zoo says their genders and names will be determined.
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"It's always a lot of fun to see a joey poke its head out of its mother's pouch, and there will be plenty of opportunities for that in the coming weeks," said Robert Lessnau, Detroit Zoological Society Curator of Mammals.
The red kangaroo, or Macropus rufus, is the world's largest marsupial, or pouched mammal. Typically found in Australia, a joey will live inside of its mother's pouch until it has developed and matured.
"Sheila and Isa are already hopping around and are easy to spot because of their size," said Lessnau.
Home to 18 red kangaroos, the Detroit Zoo's Australian Outback Adventure also features four red-necked wallabies and two emus.
Visitors of the Detroit Zoo can get face to face with the marsupials from right inside their habitat. The animals are free to bound and graze wherever they please.