Today's Rescue

[den]

Orphaned Eastern Grey, abandoned by his mum while being chased by dogs.

Comments

[walkertxkitty.livejournal.com]

Poor little guy! Do they often abandon their joeys when faced with a predator or did this one just fall out? The picture gives an excellent look at the structure of his hind feet. Is that a paw pad extending up the back of it?

[weyrdbird.livejournal.com]

Aww:) Look at those baby kangaroo feet! With tootsies like that they gotta be born jumping!

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

Throwing the joey out during pursuit is normal. It lets the female run faster, and distracts the predator with something easier to kill. Nature is not a fuffy bunny hugger.

[walkertxkitty.livejournal.com]

Nope, didn't think so. I only asked because in the nature shows they simply say it fell out.

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

The female will do it if humans chase her, so it does look like the joey simply fell out. The pouch has a tough "O" ring muscle around the rim and the only way the joey can get out is if the female voluntarily relaxes the muscle. Joeys can't "fall out" but the nature shows try to Be Nice.