Among the most unusual animals on the earth are kangaroos. Easily recognizable by their strong legs and characteristic hopping, these animals represent the diversity of Australia’s fauna. However, kangaroos are far more interesting than first glances.
These fascinating characteristics distinguish these marsupials from other animals. Kangaroos are full of surprises; from their amazing jumping skills to the peculiar way they raise their young, they have it all.
We’ll explore ten amazing kangaroo facts in this post that will astound you about these amazing animals.
- Kangaroo are the largest marsupial animals on Earth
- They come in a variety of shapes and sizes
- Most kangaroos are left-handed
- A group of kangaroos is called a "mob"
- Some kangaroos can jump 8 meters in length
- They can use their tail as a fifth leg
- Babies may ‘nap’ until the pouch is empty
- They sometimes drown their enemies
- Some females sacrifice their young
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Kangaroo are the largest marsupial animals on Earth
The largest member of the family, standing over 1.6 meters tall and weighing up to 82 kg, is the red kangaroo. Some adult male eastern grey kangaroos have been known to reach heights of nearly 2.1 meters. However, they are extremely light, weighing only 54 kg.
They come in a variety of shapes and sizes
Members of the genus Macropus ("big paw") include kangaroos. Wallabies are the smallest species in this genus, and wallaroos are the medium-sized species. While the term "kangaroo" usually refers to the four largest species—the red, eastern grey, impala, and western grey—it can also be used generically to refer to any of these animals. Although they belong to a different genus and are part of the broader taxonomic family Macropodidae, which also includes kangaroos, philanderers, wallaroos, wallabies, and quokkas, it is also used to refer to tree kangaroos.
Most kangaroos are left-handed
"Handedness" refers to the propensity for humans and certain other primates to use one hand primarily. More recent studies have revealed that kangaroos are also handed, contrary to the earlier theory that this trait was exclusive to the evolution of primates.
Red-necked wallabies and kangaroos have been studied, and the results show that these left-handed animals primarily use their left hand for eating and grooming. Additionally, kangaroos have "specialized" hands for different tasks. For example, they usually use their right hand for strength and their left hand for precision.
A group of kangaroos is called a "mob"
A troop, mob, or herd is a group of kangaroos that travel and feed together. Several dozen people can make up a mob of kangaroos, and their weak bonds frequently allow members to move between mobs. During mating season, males may kick, box, or even bite an opponent in an attempt to win over a female, but the largest male typically rules the mob. While female kangaroos are known as flyers or jills, males are referred to as boomers, bucks, or jacks.
Some kangaroos can jump 8 meters in length
Kangaroos use jumping as a low-energy means of locomotion, which enables them to travel great distances in Australia’s dry environment in pursuit of food. They can sprint if needed, but they typically travel at a moderate pace. Red kangaroos can jump up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) high and 8 meters (26 feet) in one bound at a speed of 56 km/h (35 mph).
They can use their tail as a fifth leg
The tail is frequently used by kangaroos as a fifth leg when they are moving more slowly. Although they may appear ungainly, research on red kangaroos reveals that their powerful tails can propel them just as far as their front and rear legs put together. Nonetheless, kangaroos typically do not use their tails when they need to travel more than five meters (16 feet).
With distinctive qualities that distinguish them from other animals, kangaroos are amazing animals. These marsupials have evolved in amazing ways, from their strong hind legs and remarkable leaping distances to their inbuilt pouches for carrying their young. This article will provide you with a deeper understanding of kangaroos by going over 10 incredible facts about them that showcase their unique adaptations and unexpected behaviors.
Babies may ‘nap’ until the pouch is empty
After a roughly five-week gestation period, kangaroos typically give birth to a single child. A "joey" is about the size of a grape at birth. It has to crawl through its mother’s fur with its forelimbs in order to reach her pouch, where it will spend several months.
While the baby joey is still in the mother’s pouch, she may become pregnant again. In that scenario, the baby joey will enter a dormant state and remain there until the pouch is empty. The mother’s body will release hormones to restart the baby joey’s development once the older sibling exits the pouch.
They sometimes drown their enemies
Given the extinction of larger carnivores like marsupial lions and thylacines, kangaroos in Australia have few natural predators. Nonetheless, certain animals continue to feed on smaller adult species and their joeys. In addition to introduced animals like dogs, feral cats, and red foxes, these predators also include dingoes.
A kangaroo will frequently flee for water when it is being pursued by a predator. Remarkably adept at swimming (again, because of its enormous tail). Yet occasionally, the target can trick the assailant. The kangaroo turns to face the predator once it is chest-deep in the water, grabs it with its forelimbs, and dives under.
Some females sacrifice their young
Smaller kangaroos find it more difficult to face predators. A mother who is being chased by a predator may occasionally fling her joey out of her pouch and carry on running. This is more of a behavioral reaction than an accident, as one study has demonstrated.
When it detects easy prey, the predator will probably stop, giving the mother time to flee. For certain kangaroos, this is a natural adaptive survival strategy, though it may seem absurd to humans. Females reproduce considerably more quickly than males, and when a mother’s life is in danger, she may be incredibly intelligent—at least for her species—when it comes to sacrificing one child.
| Fact | Description |
| Kangaroo Hopping | Kangaroos hop to move around, and they can reach speeds of over 35 miles per hour. |
| Born Tiny | Baby kangaroos, called joeys, are born the size of a jellybean and grow in their mother’s pouch. |
| Strong Legs | Their powerful hind legs allow them to jump great distances, sometimes up to 25 feet in one leap. |
| Pouch Life | Joeys stay in their mother’s pouch for about six months before they start exploring the world. |
| Can’t Walk Backward | Kangaroos can’t walk backward due to the structure of their legs and tail. |
| Social Creatures | Kangaroos live in groups called mobs, which can consist of up to 100 individuals. |
| Herbivores | Kangaroos are herbivores, mainly eating grass and other vegetation. |
| Unique Digestion | Their stomachs are specially adapted to ferment food, helping them digest tough plants. |
| National Symbol | The kangaroo is a national symbol of Australia and appears on its coat of arms. |
| Good Swimmers | Though it might surprise you, kangaroos are strong swimmers and use water to escape predators. |
With their strong legs, distinctive hopping gait, and capacity to survive in Australia’s untamed environments, kangaroos are genuinely fascinating animals. Beyond their well-known pouches, these marsupials exhibit amazing abilities and adaptations that set them apart from other animals in the animal kingdom.
Kangaroos never cease to amaze, from their unexpected swimming prowess to their amazing ability to travel great distances with ease. They have evolved in ways that both guarantee their survival and pique people’s interest globally.
Gaining more knowledge about these amazing animals makes us appreciate the variety and individuality of the wildlife on Earth. The abundance of knowledge and understanding that exists in the natural world is exemplified by kangaroos.
