30 Interesting Facts About Kangaroos

1. Kangaroos are part of mammals known as marsupials. These animals give birth to live offspring, but the young spend some time in the mother’s pouch. Kangaroo’s closest relatives are wallabies and wallaroos.
2. Kangaroos are present only in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Different species of kangaroos live in flat open plains, forests, deserts, etc. Kangaroos have forward-opening pouches, while pouches in a few other marsupials (like koalas and wombats) open backward. (Source)
   
3. Compared to the 25 million population of Australia, there are around 50 million kangaroos in this country. These kangaroos are involved in more than 80% of vehicle-animal collisions annually. (Source)
4. Kangaroo meat is healthier than lamb and beef. This meat is comparatively low in fat (including saturated fats) and high in protein, iron, and zinc. (Source)
5. Female kangaroos can freeze or accelerate the development of their embryo through hormones, according to the necessity. (Source)
6. According to a study, the collision of vehicles (cars and motorbikes) with kangaroos between 1994 and 2000 resulted in 46 human injuries and one death. Most of these accidents happened at night, on highways, and in the countryside. (Source)
7. Kangaroos’ collisions with vehicles are frequent in Australia. More than 7,000 such collisions are recorded every year. Most of them occurred between July and September. These collisions cost millions of dollars to drivers and insurance companies. (Source)
8. There are four species of kangaroos in Australia. These include red kangaroos, eastern grey kangaroos, western grey kangaroos, and antilopine kangaroos.

   

   Red kangaroo is the largest marsupial
   

   
   
9. The red kangaroo is the world’s largest marsupial. An adult can reach a height of 2m (6 ft.) or more.
10. Eastern grey kangaroo is the heaviest among kangaroos. Adult males can attain a weight of 90 kg (198 lbs.). Male kangaroos are far heavier than females.
11. Eastern grey kangaroos have the largest population among all kangaroo species. They are present in New South Wales and Queensland. (Source)
12. In contrast to humans, most kangaroos are left-handed. These mammals prefer their left hands for tasks like feeding and grooming. (Source)
13. Kangaroo is the only large mammal that primarily uses hopping on two legs for locomotion. A study proves that kangaroos adopted this gait around 20 million years ago. (Source)
14. Kangaroos can achieve a speed of 35 mph (56 km/h) while hopping. Kangaroo uses its powerful hind legs, large tail, and last two digits to hop. They can achieve 6 feet height and cover 25 feet distance in a single hop. Kangaroo hopping is the most efficient type of land running in the animal kingdom. (Source)
15. Kangaroos are social animals that live in groups called mobs. Few mobs contain more than a hundred kangaroos. Members of a group engage in nose touching and sniffing for solidarity.
16. Kangaroos are pure herbivores. They eat grasses, flowers, shrubs, moss, and fungi. Their favorite food is newly sprouted green grass. 
17. Various kangaroo species are either diurnal or nocturnal. They are also active during low light (before sunrise and sunset). Nocturnal kangaroos have better night vision to see in the dark.
18. Kangaroos have two stomach chambers, and they regurgitate like cattle. But unlike cows, they produce a negligible amount of methane during digestion. It is due to stomach bacteria that convert hydrogen into energy-producing acetate instead of methane. (Source)
19. A plant toxin is present in several legumes of Western Australia. The western grey kangaroos have a high tolerance to this toxin. (Source)
20. A major epidemic in Australia caused blindness in several kangaroos between 1994 and 1996. They suffered this blindness due to the effect of a virus on their eyes and brain. (Source)
21. Fights between male kangaroos are common. These kangaroos fight for dominance and to win a mate. (Source)
22. Kangaroos have a few predators due to their size and strength. Dingoes, wedge-tail eagles, and foxes are their natural predators. They also compete with introduced herbivore animals for food.
23. Kangaroos can lead their predator in water for defensive purposes. In rare circumstances, they may attack humans if feel endangered. (Source)

    

    Kangaroos can't move backwards 

    
    
24. Kangaroos can jump forward and also from side to side. But these mammals cannot move backward due to their heavy tail. Kangaroos also cannot walk in either direction due to their tail and long feet. (Source)
25. At birth, the newborn kangaroo is blind, hairless, and very small. This newborn kangaroo (joey) stays in the pouch for six months, while different species permanently leave the pouch between 8 and 11 months. Female kangaroos produce two different types of milk at a time for two babies, one in the pouch and another outside. (Source)
26. The average lifespan for various kangaroo species is from 8 years to 20 years in the wild. They can live longer in captivity.
27. Kangaroos are generally very peaceful. But sometimes, they can attack humans for self-defense. A single human fatality from a kangaroo attack was recorded in 1936 in New South Wales. A kangaroo killed a hunter when he tried to save his dogs fighting with the kangaroo.
28. Kangaroos are usually harmless to humans but can rarely attack and cause injuries. They usually attack people who want to feed them. (Source)
29. Kangaroos are present on the Australian coat of arms and coins. Several Australian universities, companies, and sports teams use kangaroo as emblems, logos, and mascots.
30. Kangaroos can also swim. They can use water bodies in the wild and swimming pools in urban areas during intense heat. (Source)