How to Hand Raise Newborn Kangaroos

Ensure the baby kangaroo is adequately heated. In the wild, the pouch of the mother kangaroo generates a large amount of heat in order to sustain the baby animal. Constant temperatures between 86 and 90 degrees F will need to be created in its sleeping environment. This can be done with the use of a heater or electric blanket. However, tests must be done to ensure that this temperature is the same throughout and that heating elements are not exposed. Overheating or scalding can potentially kill the baby animal.

Store the baby kangaroo in a suitable pouch. This could be in the form of a bag or container. The electric blanket can be placed inside or underneath. Pad the bed with soft items such as sheets and sweaters. Ensure these items are nonscented. Also ensure that the bag is hung above the floor level, helping to re-create the movement experienced within the pouch of a mother. Ensure the bag is hung at a low height above the ground so that the baby kangaroo can enter and exit when it pleases.

Feed newborn kangaroos with milk. Different grades of milk must be used dependent on the age of the animal. This reflects the changing nature of the milk supplied by the mothering kangaroo. Milk replacements can be found and ordered on the Internet. Wombaroo Milk Replacer is produced as a dry powder to which water is added. A bottle with a soft mouthpiece or teat should be used to feed the baby animal.

It is normal for a kangaroo to leave a pouch after 4 months, according to Parks Victoria. Kangaroos of this age should be introduced to grass to gradually replace milk in their diet. It is important that the roots and soil are fed to the kangaroo as this provides additional nutrients that they would normally eat in the wild. Kangaroos at this age can also eat carrots, apples, and tree bark.