POTOROO, or

See also:

• RAT (a word common to Teut. and Rom. languages; probably first adopted in Teut.; the ultimate origin is not known; Skeat suggests the root rad-, to scratch; cf. Ger. Ratte, Dan. rotte, Fr. rat, &c.)

RAT

See also:

• KANGAROO

KANGAROO  , any member of the diprotodont marsupial sub-family Potoroinae (see MARSUPIA1,1A) . None of them exceed a common rabbit in size . They inhabit Australia and Tasmania, are nocturnal, and feed on the leaves of grasses and other plants, as well as roots and bulbs, which they dig up with their forepaws; in this way some of them do considerable damage to cultivated crops . About ten species are known, presenting a considerable range of diversity in minor characters . The members of the type genus (Potorous) run, rather than leap, and do not use the hind feet for kicking . In the genus Bettongia the tail is prehensile, and with it they collect grass and twigs for making nests in their burrows .