Fangaroo—The History, Characteristics, Archaeologists and Scientists That Found the Marsupial Species Fossil of the Prehistoric Balbaroo Fangaroo
The “fangaroo” or Balbaroo fangaroo is a prehistoric ancestor of the kangaroo that lived 16 to 23 million years ago during the Early Miocene period. These marsupial mammals existed after the extinction of the dinosaurs. Marsupials carry their young in a pouch.
The fossil of the new marsupial species of the Balbaroo Fangaroo was discovered in Northern Australia at The Riversleigh World Heritage Area in 2000.
Archaeologists found parts of a fossilised Balbaroo fangaroo skull which was similar in size to a small modern-day wallaby or cat, 45cm to 60cm long or 18 to 24 inches, plus the tail.
A Laser Scan of the Holotype of Balbaroo Fangaroo
To see a computer-generated laser scan of the skull of the Balbaroo fangaroo at the Queensland Museum, Brisbane CLICK HERE.
The Scientific Name Fangaroo
The Scientific Name FangarooThe scientific name “Fangaroo” was derived from the Fangaroo’s sharp curved fangs or upper canine teeth which were double the size of the rest of its incisors and thought to be seen pointing out of the Fangaroo’s mouth, even when it was closed… SCARY! Fangaroos were thought to be carnivores. Fangaroos ate MEAT!… SUPER-SCARY!
It is also thought that the fangaroo’s fangs may have been used for display and fighting, similar to the behaviour seen in water deer and camelids, which are known as ungulates and are split into odd-toed ones with hooves such as horses, and even-toed such as cattle and pigs.
The Fangaroo Did Not Hop and Could Climb Trees
After comparing it to other skeletons of closely related species, it is thought that the Balbaroo fangaroo was not able to hop or bounce like a wallaby or kangaroo. It is thought that the fangaroo moved around using four legs or quadrupedally. The shape of the fangaroo’s feet also suggest that it may have been able to climb trees like a modern tree kangaroo.
Balbaroo Fangaroo Marsupial Evolution and Movements
Balbaroo Fangaroo Marsupial evolution began over 90 million years ago. They probably appeared in North America first and died out or moved on. This was after dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus or T. Rex and Triceratops evolved and somewhere between the evolution of snakes and crocodiles.
Many of the types of marsupial species died out over time, but around 250 species of marsupial remain alive in Australia.
About 15 million years ago, kangaroos started to appear. Over 50 of those remaining 250 marsupial species are kangaroos.
The Balbaroo Genus or Biological Classification
“Balbaroo” was a classification or category created in 1983 to describe a new species of marsupial. Archaeologists and scientists use the name for an extinct genus or biological classification of quadrupedal kangaroo that lived in Australia.
Four Species of Balbaroo Are Currently Recognised
Four Species of Balbaroo Are Currently Recognised- Balbaroo camfieldensis, found by Flannery, Archer and Plane in 1983.
- Balbaroo fangaroo, found by Cooke in 2000.
- Balbaroo gregoriensis, found by Flannery, Archer and Plane in 1983
- Balbaroo nalima, found by Black, Travouillon, Den Boer, Kear, Cooke, Archer, Evans, A.R, in 2014.
About the Miocene Period in History
An epoch is the second smallest geochronologic unit, between a period and an age. It is the equivalent of a chronostratigraphic series.
Early Miocene is a sub-epoch 16 to 23 million years ago containing the Burdigalian (15.97 to 20.44 million years ago) and Aquitanian (20.44 to 23.03 million years ago) faunal stages.
About the Funny Children’s Adventure Book—My Grandad vs The Fangazoo
R.K. Alker Funny Kids’ Author wrote a funny children’s adventure book about a prehistoric beast called the Fangazoo. It was cross between a dragon and a kangaroo. To create the name, R.K. Alker smashed together or combined the words fangs and kangaroo, “fang” and “aroo” and came up with “Fangaroo.” When RK Alker checked to see if the name fangaroo already existed, he was astonished to find that the fangaroo was a real! And found a wealth of information about the Bilbaroo fangaroo, which he has detailed for you above. The sources are all listed as clickable hyperlinks or URLs.
Read more about the book: My Grandad vs The Fangazoo CLICK HERE
Who is RK Alker Children’s Author?
R.K. Alker Best-Selling Children’s Author was born in the UK, but he was MADE IN LANCASHIRE!
He is famous as the TV & Radio ChilliMan aficionado and a champion of local producers or “Food Evangelist!”
R.K. Alker has a career spanning more than 3 decades of university lecturing, content writing, UK 999 emergency ambulances, media and entertainment as the colourful TV ChilliMan which contributed to this hilarious children’s adventure book written for his kids.
Read RK Alker Funny Kids’ Author’s amazing story in the PRESS SECTION CLICK HERE
RK Alker is an author of funny children’s books from Chorley, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom, Earth!
His little girls think RK Alker is the Best Funny Kids Author in the World.
Find RK Alker Children’s Author Events, Book Readings, Children’s Bedtime Stories, Kids’ Storytelling, School Author Visits, Children’s Book Signings and more on Eventbrite.
R.K. Alker is also The Chilli man from Little Green Men, a master of The Ancient Lancastrian Art of Ecky Thump! and can be found on Instagram, Blogger.com & Yell
Fangaroo FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
Fangaroo FAQ Frequently Asked QuestionsThis Fangaroo FAQ Frequently Asked Questions is to help answer specific questions about the Balbaroo fangaroo and other species, history, dinosaurs, origins, diet, movement, location, museums, and…
How R.K. Alker Children’s Author made the Fangazoo monster, which is like the fangaroo, with absolutely no knowledge of the fangaroo beforehand!
Is the Fangaroo a dinosaur?
No, the Fangaroo was a marsupial mammal which lived after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
What species is the Fangaroo?
The fangaroo is a marsupial mammal ancestor of the kangaroo.
What size was the Balbaroo Fangaroo?
The Balbaroo Fangaroo was similar in size to a small modern-day wallaby or cat, 45cm to 60cm long or 18 to 24 inches, plus the tail.
Is the Fangaroo or Balbaroo Fangaroo a prehistoric ancestor of the kangaroo?
Yes, the fangaroo or Balbaroo fangaroo is a prehistoric ancestor of the kangaroo that lived 16 to 23 million years ago.
When was the “fangaroo” or Balbaroo fangaroo alive?
The “fangaroo” or Balbaroo fangaroo lived 16 to 23 million years ago during the Early Miocene period.
In what period in history did the Fangaroo live?
The “fangaroo” or Balbaroo fangaroo lived during the Early Miocene period.
What did Fangaroos eat?
Fangaroos were thought to be carnivores and ate meat!
What were the Fangaroo’s fangs used for?
It is thought that the fangaroo’s fangs may have been used for display and fighting, similar to the behaviour seen in water deer and camelids, which are known as ungulates and are split into odd-toed ones with hooves such as horses, and even-toed such as cattle and pigs.
How did the Fangaroo move around?
It is thought that the fangaroo moved around using four legs or quadrupedally. It is thought that the Balbaroo fangaroo was not able to hop or bounce like a wallaby or kangaroo.
Did the Fangaroo climb trees?
Yes, the shape of the fangaroo’s feet also suggest that it may have been able to climb trees like a modern tree kangaroo.
Where does the Balbaroo Fangaroo marsupial come from?
Marsupial evolution began over 90 million years ago. They probably appeared in North America first and died out or moved on. This was after dinosaurs and somewhere between the evolution of snakes and crocodiles.
When did kangaroos evolve or start to appear?
Kangaroos started to appear about 15 million years ago.
How many species of marsupial live in Australia?
Many of the types of marsupial species died out over time, but around 250 species of marsupial remain alive in Australia.
How many kangaroo marsupial species are there?
Over 50 of the world’s remaining 250 marsupial species are kangaroos.
Which archaeologists and scientists found the fossil of the prehistoric Balbaroo Fangaroo?
The Balbaroo fangaroo was found by Cooke in 2000.
Where was the fossil of the Balbaroo Fangaroo found?
The new marsupial species fossil of the Balbaroo Fangaroo was discovered in Northern Australia at The Riversleigh World Heritage Area in 2000.
What type of Fangaroo fossil did the archaeologists find?
Archaeologists found parts of a fossilised Balbaroo fangaroo skull.
Where is the fossil of the Balbaroo Fangaroo located?
The skull of the Balbaroo fangaroo is located at the Queensland Museum, Brisbane.
How did they create the scientific name Fangaroo?
The scientific name “Fangaroo” was derived from the Fangaroo’s sharp curved fangs or upper canine teeth which were double the size of the rest of its incisors and thought to be seen pointing out of the Fangaroo’s mouth, even when it was closed.
What is the he Balbaroo genus or biological classification?
“Balbaroo” was a classification or category created in 1983 to describe a new species of marsupial. Scientists use the name for an extinct genus or biological classification of quadrupedal kangaroo that lived in Australia.
How many species of Balbaroo are currently recognised?
There are four species of Balbaroo currently recognised, which include:
1. Balbaroo camfieldensis, found by Flannery, Archer and Plane in 1983.
2. Balbaroo fangaroo, found by Cooke in 2000.
3. Balbaroo gregoriensis, found by Flannery, Archer and Plane in 1983
4. Balbaroo nalima, found by Black, Travouillon, Den Boer, Kear, Cooke, Archer, Evans, A.R, in 2014.
What is the Miocene Period in history?
An epoch is the second smallest geochronologic unit, between a period and an age. It is the equivalent of a chronostratigraphic series. Early Miocene is a sub-epoch 16 to 23 million years ago containing the Burdigalian (15.97 to 20.44 million years ago) and Aquitanian (20.44 to 23.03 million years ago) faunal stages.
How did R.K. Alker write the Funny Children’s Adventure Book—My Grandad vs The Fangazoo?
R.K. Alker Funny Kids’ Author wrote a funny children’s adventure book about a prehistoric beast called the Fangazoo. It was cross between a dragon and a kangaroo. To create the name, R.K. Alker smashed together or combined the words fangs and kangaroo, “fang” and “aroo” and came up with “Fangaroo.” When RK Alker checked to see if the name fangaroo already existed, he was astonished to find that the fangaroo was a real! And found a wealth of information about the Bilbaroo fangaroo, which he has detailed for you on his website: WWW.RKALKER.COM
