There are plenty of unique and interesting animal families around the world, but one of the most peculiar is the marsupial. Marsupials are mammals and they’re the only animal who carries their young in a pouch. Marsupials give birth to relatively underdeveloped young and their babies then reside in their mother’s pouch for a certain amount of time. Close to two thirds of all marsupials are found in Australia—including the mainland, Tasmania, New Guinea and other nearby islands. The other marsupials primarily live in South America, with the exception of the Virginia Opossum which is the only marsupial native to North America.
There are currently 334 extant species of marsupials and many of our favorites have been illustrated by talented tattooers around the world. Take a peek at 75 of our favorite marsupial tattoos in the gallery below, then let us know your favorite marsupial of the bunch in the comments section on social media.
Kangaroo
Family: Macropodidae
Native To: Australia and New Guinea
Species: Red Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Western Grey Kangaroo, and the Antilopine Kangaroo
In Popular Culture: “Kangaroo Jack” (2003)
Wallaby
Family: Macropodidae
Native To: Australia and New Guinea
Number of Species: 30
In Popular Culture: “Rocko’s Modern Life” (1993-1996)
Wombat
Family: Vombatidae
Native To: Australia
Species: Common Wombat, Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat and Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
In Popular Culture: “Combat Wombat” (2020)
Tasmanian Devil
Family: Dasyuridae
Native To: Tasmania
Species: Tasmanian Devil
In Popular Culture: Taz of “Looney Tunes” (1954-Present)
Koala
Family: Phascolarctidae
Native To: Eastern and Southern Australia
Species: Queensland Koala, the New South Wales Koala and the Victorian Koala
In Popular Culture: Buster Moon in “Sing” (2016) and “Sing 2” (2021)
Opossum
Family: Didelphidae
Native To: Western Hemisphere
Number of Species: 127
In Popular Culture: “Over the Hedge” (2006)
Platypus
Family: Ornithorhynchidae
Native To: Eastern Australia and Tasmania
Species: Platypus
In Popular Culture: “Phineas and Ferb” (2007-2015)
Source: www.inkedmag.com