Why Kangaroos Are Unlike Any Other Animal in the World

You may think that you know everything there is to learn about kangaroos. But do you know what they eat, how fast they can hop, or which hand they favor? If not, you’re in the right place. We have 10 facts about kangaroos that are certain to make you question everything you thought you knew about this famous marsupial. Read on, and you can impress your friends on your next trip to Down Under.

Female Kangaroos Can Pause Their Pregnancies

Perhaps one of the most unexpected facts about kangaroos is that the females can essentially pause pregnancy if necessary. The process is called embryonic diapause, and it can sometimes be extended to 11 months. Kangaroos may do this for several reasons. For example, a female may delay pregnancy to ensure there is enough food and water for her joey. She might also wait until spring, when temperatures are milder, to give birth. Kangaroos aren’t the only animal that does this, either. Many armadillos, seals, and some otters are known to pause their pregnancies. Mother bears will often do it after they mate in the spring, and they have to pause the pregnancy until they build up enough body fat to care for their impending cubs.

Kangaroos Can Hop Faster Than Many Vehicles

Kangaroos can hop at amazing speeds. While they typically move along at about 15-25 miles per hour, some, including the red kangaroo, can reach speeds of up to 44 miles per hour. In addition to moving quickly across land, kangaroos can also jump really high. The common red kangaroo can use its powerful hind legs to leap up to 45 feet in a single bound. Kangaroos have also been known to jump very high straight up into the air. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, an Eastern grey kangaroo once jumped eight feet into the air.

Kangaroos Have Many Names

If you want to be a kangaroo expert, then you need to know all the names they go by. For starters, when they’re babies, they’re known as “joeys.” When they grow up, they get different names. As adults, a female kangaroo is called a “doe,” “flyer,” or “jill,” while the males can be called either a “boomer,” “buck,” or “jack.” Finally, a group of kangaroos is called a “mob.” A mob consists mostly of breeding females and a dominant male that leads the group.

They Range in Size From One Inch to Six Feet

One of the most interesting facts about kangaroos is that they are the largest of all the marsupials on the planet. Though height can vary, it’s not uncommon to see male kangaroos in the wild that are up to six feet tall. Females are typically a bit smaller, topping out at about three and a half feet. As far as weight, the females max out at about 75 pounds and the males at 175 pounds.

However, when they’re born, they are much smaller. Soon after a baby kangaroo is born, they can crawl on the ground, but it’s only about an inch long. That said, the youngster typically stays in the mother’s pouch for 10 months. What occurs in the mother’s pouch is also quite interesting. That’s where the joey drinks its milk from the mammary glands. Kangaroos actually produce two types of milk. One type is for older joeys, and another type is for newborns.

Kangaroos Don’t Walk

Most people know that kangaroos hop a lot, but hopping is actually their primary mode of movement. In fact, kangaroos cannot walk forward or backward; they must hop or jump to get from place to place. Most of their power comes from their very strong hind legs, and they use their large tails to keep them balanced when they move and sit.

In addition to the ability to hop great distances, kangaroos are also great swimmers. They won’t be swimming in any marathons, but kangaroos can swim short distances with surprising skill. They typically enter the water to traverse short distances or to escape from predators. Once again, their tails come to the rescue as they use them to propel themselves forward through the water. Kangaroos are also known to occasionally draw a predator, such as a dingo, to the water and then use their arms to try to drown the threat.

Most Kangaroos are Left Handed

Here’s one of the most astounding facts about kangaroos to mention if you want to impress your friends. Research has shown that most kangaroos are left-handed. Or at least they typically favor their left paw. Scientists have witnessed kangaroos use their left hand more often for tasks like grooming and eating.  Scientists are still trying to learn why kangaroos do this, but they have seen the evidence of their theory after hours of observation. Researchers saw this behavior with red kangaroos, grey kangaroos, and red-necked wallabies. At this point, it’s believed that only select marsupials and humans favor one side over another.

There are Four Types of Kangaroos in Australia

Most scientists agree that there are four different types of kangaroos in Australia. They are the red kangaroo, the eastern grey kangaroo, the western grey kangaroo, and the antilopine kangaroo. The red kangaroo is typically the largest of the group and is the type most people think of when imagining a kangaroo. The eastern grey kangaroo has lighter grey fur and is found along the east coast of Australia. The western grey kangaroo is a smaller kangaroo typically found along the western coast.

Finally, the antilopine kangaroo is a smaller species found only along the northern coast of Australia. They look a bit different than the other kangaroos but are still quite large, growing as high as six feet tall. In addition to kangaroos, there are also many other species of wallabies, which are similar to but smaller than kangaroos.

Kangaroos are Herbivores

Most people don’t think about what kangaroos eat. The answer is that they’re herbivores, and their main diet consists of grass, shrubs, and herbs. Kangaroos have special teeth that are perfect for chewing. Their front teeth chop up the grass from the ground while their molars grind up the grass before they swallow. Kangaroos actually eat very similarly to cattle and have a similar chambered stomach. They also regurgitate their food as cud while chewing it, and then finally swallow it again.

Kangaroos Don’t Drink Water…All the Time

While kangaroos may eat a lot of grass, one thing they don’t consume much of is water. It may seem like every creature on the surface would need hydration, but kangaroos can go a surprisingly long time without water. In fact, they can go for months without a sip. A lot of that is due to the fact that kangaroos live in dry environments, so they need to be used to going without hydration. In order to stay cool, kangaroos typically hang out in the shade during the hottest parts of the day and then come out in the afternoon when it’s cooler.

Eagles are One of the Kangaroo’s Main Predators

Finally, another of the most interesting facts about kangaroos is that one of their main predators is a bird. It’s called the wedge-tailed eagle, and it’s one of the largest birds of prey in the country of Australia. They are a threat to many different creatures in Australia, and they’re even deadlier when they hunt in groups. The eagle is one of the fiercest apex predators in the world. It can swoop down and use its large talons to bring down smaller kangaroos.

There are other threats to the kangaroo population, including one of the most well-known predators: the dingo. A dingo is a type of dog that often hunts kangaroos in groups. They chase down the kangaroo until it becomes exhausted, and then they attack. Other animal predators include domestic dogs, goannas (monitor lizards), and Tasmanian devils.

Of course, human beings also pose a threat. Hunters will go after kangaroos in large numbers in order to use them for food and to produce leather. Kangaroo hides are often used to create wallets, belts, and other accessories. Land development is another threat to the natural habitat and kangaroo populations. Climate change and excessive droughts are also issues. In summary, if you plan to visit Australia, observe these majestic creatures from a distance. Enjoy their beauty, and when you see one in the Outback, use these facts to impress your travel group.

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