Distress vocalizations of young of the red kangaroo, Megaleia rufa (Marsupialia: Macropodidae).

Abstract

Calls produced by two young red kangaroos (Megaleia rufa) when separated from their mothers at ages between 180 and 235 days have been recorded and analysed from sound spectrograms. The calls consist of repeated chirps each containing one or more pulses of short duration. The calls cover a frequency range from 0-8 KHz, but bands of greater amplitude are present. The physical features of the call suggest its function as a location call. Consistent differences, in number of pulses and duration of the call, between young suggest that the call may also allow individual recognition.