Impressive facts about kangaroos -

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They jump really far -

It is no great secret that kangaroos are good at jumping. However, not everyone is aware just how high or how far these marsupials are able to bounce.

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And high -

With large back feet and incredibly powerful hind legs, adult kangaroos can jump up to 30 feet (nine meters) in length and 10 feet (three meters) high in one single bound.

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They are very fast -

They can also travel up to 40 mph (64 kph), although for the most part, they saunter along at a casual pace of 15.5 mph (25 kph). 

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Joeys are born tiny -

Despite the fact that adult kangaroos are generally around six feet (1.8 meters) tall, baby kangaroos, otherwise known as joeys, are only an inch (2.5 cm) long when they are born.

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Five week's gestation -

Joeys are born after a period of five weeks’ gestation, and then they crawl unassisted to their mother’s pouch for nursing.

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Leaving the pouch -

Generally, the joey will leave the mother’s pouch at around 10 months, once it is ready to go it alone in the big wide world. 

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A mob of kangaroos -

Although kangaroos are often spotted on their own, they generally reside in groups. The collective noun used to describe a group of kangaroos is a ‘mob.’

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Australian term -

Despite the connotation of the word in other cultures, in Australia, the term ‘mob’ is reserved for kangaroos, which are native to the country.

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Other terms -

A mob of kangaroos may also be referred to as a troop or a herd, and generally, it consists of 50 or more individual kangaroos.

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They are herbivores -

Known for being quite aggressive, one might assume that kangaroos are carnivores. In fact, the diet of a kangaroo is strictly plant-based.

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Chambered stomach -

With a chambered stomach similar to a cow’s, kangaroos eat a wide variety of plants, although their exact diet does depend on their species.

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How they eat -

To help with digestion, kangaroos will regurgitate their food before chewing and swallowing it again. They also have specialized teeth to help them break down plants effectively.

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Different species -

The species of kangaroo most familiar to the majority of people is the red kangaroo. However, the red kangaroo is not the only species of this marsupial. 

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Four species -

In fact, there are four different species of kangaroo: the red kangaroo, the eastern grey kangaroo, the western grey kangaroo, and the antilopine wallaroo (or wallaby).

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Two sub-species -

The western grey kangaroo species even breaks down into a further two sub-species: the Macropus fuliginosus melanops and the Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus.

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They are left-handed -

According to the research, kangaroos are primarily left-handed. Indeed, individuals from the red and eastern grey species have been observed using their left hand for important tasks up to 95% of the time.

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Expert opinion -

Experts believe that in general, kangaroos use their right hands for strength and their left hands for precision.

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Interesting discovery -

This is particularly interesting since it challenges the long-held assumption among scientists that favoring a particular hand is a behavior unique to humans.

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They can swim -

In addition to being good runners and great jumpers, kangaroos are a dab hand at swimming. In fact, they even swim to avoid predators.

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Escaping predators -

Despite the fact that kangaroos have very few natural predators, they have been observed using water to avoid the ones that do exist, such as dingoes.

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Tricking the predator -

On occasion, they have been known to lure their predator into the water, and then use their famous punching tactic to try and drown it.

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They can't move backwards -

While kangaroos are able to jump far and high, when it comes to moving backward, they are completely useless.

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The wrong physiology -

Indeed, the very features that enable them to jump so masterfully—their powerful back legs and tail—are the same features that mean they cannot reverse.

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Symbolism -

It is this characteristic of kangaroos that earns them a place on the Australian coat of arms. They are supposed to represent natural progress; always moving forward, never backward.

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They are incredibly strong -

Perhaps unsurprisingly given their general athletic prowess, kangaroos are also incredibly strong.

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Bite and punch -

Indeed, they have the same bite force as a grizzly bear (six times a human’s bite force) and a paw-swiping force that is eight times the strength of a human. 

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Danger -

It is for this reason that people will warn you against approaching a kangaroo if you can avoid it. Coupled with the fact they can be aggressive, getting close to a kangaroo can be dangerous.

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They're heavily hunted -

Last but not least, it is important to note that kangaroos are killed in huge numbers every year, in order to export their meat and skins to over 70 countries.

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Statistics -

In 2023, for example, the Australian government allowed for the killing of up to five million kangaroos. Some populations were targeted more heavily than others.

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Protection measures -

Certain countries are currently taking action to protect kangaroo populations. The New York State legislature, for example, has introduced a bill that would ban the sale and manufacture of kangaroo leather.

Sources: (World Animal Protection)

See also: Australia's fascinating culture and traditions

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