1. Kangaroos Eat Plants to Stay Healthy
Kangaroos are herbivores, and their diet consists of grass, shrubs, and roots. They particularly enjoy bean- and beet-related plants, which are rich in essential mineral salts. These plants provide the kangaroos with the nutrients they need to stay healthy and active.
Also → Wallabies: A 'mob' of small marsupials
Advertisement2. The Fiercely Competitive Mates
Male kangaroos are known to be fiercely competitive when it comes to mating, often engaging in physical combat with one another. These fights involve both punches and kicks, with the males attempting to assert their dominance over the female. The winner of the fight is usually the one who can best demonstrate their strength and agility, and the female will usually choose the victor as her mate.
Also → Frogs: The Strangest Creatures in the World
3. Unique Digestive Systems Help Kangaroos Survive Harsh Conditions
Kangaroos are fascinating creatures, with unique digestive systems that enable them to survive in harsh conditions. They have chambered stomachs, which help them break down their food more efficiently, and special teeth that allow them to regurgitate shrubs and grass, chew them again, and then swallow them. This adaptation helps them to survive for up to two or three months without water.
Also → Dingoes Hunt in Packs to Survive
4. The Largest Marsupials in the World
. Kangaroos are fascinating creatures, growing to a height of anywhere between 3 and 8 feet tall and weighing anywhere from 40 to 200 pounds. They are the largest marsupials in the world and can be found in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. They are well-known for their powerful hind legs and long, muscular tails, which they use for balance and to propel themselves forward in great leaps.
Also → Meerkats use their hind legs to scan the horizon for danger
Advertisement5. Kangaroos are agile and fast
Kangaroos are unique animals, with their powerful hind legs and feet being much stronger and larger than their forelimbs. This allows them to hop around with ease, and their thick, muscular tails provide them with balance and stability when they are hopping or sitting. This tail is also used to steer and turn when they are in motion, making them incredibly agile and able to move quickly and efficiently.
Also → Emus: The Incredible Bird That Can Swim and Cross Rivers
6. Kangaroos use a variety of communication methods to stay safe
Kangaroos have an impressive array of communication methods to alert others when they sense danger. To alert their fellow kangaroos, they thump their feet on the ground, grunt, hiss, cough, and even make clicking noises. This is an effective way for them to warn each other of potential danger and stay safe.
Also → Mountain Goats Are Incredible Jumpers
7. Kangaroos are incredibly agile animals
Kangaroos are incredibly agile animals, capable of moving at great speeds and jumping up to three times their own height. They use their powerful legs to propel themselves forward, and when they leap, they use both legs simultaneously. Interestingly, kangaroos are unable to walk backwards, but they are surprisingly adept swimmers.
Also → The Impala: A Graceful and Powerful Animal
Advertisement8. Kangaroos in Groups
A court, troop, or mob of kangaroos is an impressive sight to behold! These groups typically consist of 8 to 25 kangaroos, with the male leading the way. The troop is made up of females and young kangaroos, and they can often be seen hopping around together in search of food and shelter. It's a fascinating sight to witness, and a reminder of the strong social bonds that exist between these animals.
Also → The Incredible Jumping Ability of Cats
9. Baby Kangaroos Named Joeys
Kangaroos are unique animals, with their most recognizable feature being their powerful hind legs and long tail. But did you know that baby kangaroos are called Joeys? Joeys are born after a gestation period of just 33 days, and are only 2 cm long and weigh less than a gram. They then crawl into their mother's pouch, where they will stay for the next 6-7 months, until they are ready to emerge and explore the world.
Also → The Adorable and Lovable Otters
10. Red Kangaroos are the Largest Marsupials in the World
The red kangaroo is the largest marsupial in the world, with males reaching up to 2.1 metres in height and weighing up to 90 kilograms. This impressive species is found throughout Australia, inhabiting open grasslands, woodlands and deserts. They are well adapted to their environment, with powerful hind legs and a long tail used for balance and support when hopping. Red kangaroos are also able to conserve water, allowing them to survive in arid climates.
More facts on
- Clawed herbivores
- Marsupials of Australia
- Taxa named by John Edward Gray
- Mammal common names
- Paraphyletic groups