Marsupials

Marsupials are mammals that commonly bear a pouch such as Kangaroos and Koala Bears. Two thirds of marsupial species are found in Australia.

More Animals Topics to Explore

Seals Clap Underwater to Communicate

Sea Otters Are the Party Animals of the Sea

It's a Manatee's Life: Swim, Eat, Rest, Repeat

Brazilian Free-tailed Bats Are Way Faster Than We Thought

Scientists Solve the Weird Physics of How Bats Land Upside Down

Do bats jam each other's sonar?

Meet the Montana Grizzly Bear Product Testers

Red Pandas Are Not the Lesser Pandas

Baby It's Cold Outside! How the Arctic Fox Survives Frigid Temps

What's the Difference Between a Mountain Lion and a Cougar?

Elk Are Huge, Aggressive and Unpredictable

What Do Reindeer Do When They're Not Pulling Santa's Sleigh?

The Wild History of the Texas Longhorn

9 Big Hairy Facts About Gorillas

Baboons: The Monkeys With the Scarlet Booties

Orangutan Jungle School: Teaching Orangutans How to Be Orangutans

Squirrels Can Be Left- or Right-handed

Groundhogs Are More Than Just Meteorologists

The Tiny Fennec Fox Is All Ears

Goofy-looking Emus Are Leggy, Flightless and Very Friendly

Pangolins: The Gentle, Ant-eating Oddballs of Africa and Asia

Learn More

The Smiley Quokka Is an Australian Super Survivor

The smallest of the wallaby species is known to pose for selfies with tourists and be cuter than cute. But the feisty quokka has had to fight for its very survival.

By Jesslyn Shields Jan 16, 2020 Mammals / Marsupials

8 Cuddly Facts About Koalas

They look so cute and fluffy, but koalas have a fierce side too. Still, their biggest threat to survival is mankind.

By Alia Hoyt Dec 2, 2019 Mammals / Marsupials

Sugar Gliders Are Nature's Cutest Little Daredevils

These adorable marsupials look as sweet as their name. But what, exactly, are sugar gliders?

By Jamie Allen Aug 21, 2019 Mammals / Marsupials

Opossums: So Darn Ugly They're Adorable

Sure, opossums eat out of your trashcan, but they're also strange little superheroes.

By Jesslyn Shields Apr 5, 2019 Mammals / Marsupials

Deadly Chlamydia Threatens Koalas Down Under

Koala populations in Australia are in decline, in part due to the ravages of chlamydia, a sexually transmitted bacterial infection.

By Carrie Tatro May 21, 2018 Mammals / Marsupials

Kangaroo Anthropomorphism Crushed by Mother Nature

Once more, humanity's attempts to view other animals as human lands us in a difficult spot, as this week's widely circulated photo of a "grieving" kangaroo illustrates.

By Robert Lamb Jan 15, 2016 Mammals / Marsupials

Tasmanian Devil

In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn about the Tasmanian Devil, including its habitat, behaviors and diet.

Mammals / Marsupials

Red Kangaroo

In this guide to the Red Kangaroo, you'll learn cool facts about its habitat, unique behaviors and it's converstation status.

Mammals / Marsupials

Are Tasmanian Devils Fighting Their Way to Extinction?

Tasmanian devils are scrappy little marsupials with jaws as strong as tigers'. But a deadly form of cancer is threatening to annihilate the species. Can scientists save the devils before it's too late?

By Cristen Conger Mammals / Marsupials

Why is wombat scat shaped like a cube?

Perhaps just as puzzling as the Rubik's Cube (though not as colorful), the purpose of wombat scat's geometrical shape seems mysterious. So what's the scoop on wombat poop?

By Cristen Conger Mammals / Marsupials

Marsupial Pictures

Marsupials are mammals that commonly bear a pouch such as kangaroos and koalas. Did you know that two thirds of marsupial species are found in Australia? Find out more by viewing this marsupial image gallery.

By Marie Bobel Mammals / Marsupials

Why do kangaroos hop?

Million-dollar endorsement deals or a sneaker named the Air Roo aren't in the cards for kangaroos. Since these animals can't play in any Final Four championships, why do they hop?

By Cristen Conger Mammals / Marsupials

Do koalas smell like cough drops?

If you can get past a koala's pungent scent of urine and mating-musk, you might detect a faint hint of cough drops. Why do koalas smell like they'd clear out your sinuses?

By Julia Layton Mammals / Marsupials

What's the difference between a wallaby and a kangaroo?

If you want to determine whether you've got your hands on a wallaby or a kangaroo, you're going to have to pry open the animal's mouth and examine its molars.

By Jennifer Horton Mammals / Marsupials