10 Fun Facts About Kangaroos: The Jersey Gypsy In Pursuit of Australia

10 Fun Kangaroo Facts

Welcome to our Jersey Gypsy column, where our resident travel reporter, Valentina roams the globe in pursuit of stories.

One of the standout moments of my Australian trip was my visit to Narawntapu National Park – a marvel of nature with sprawling landscapes and breathtaking views.

The wildlife was absolutely mesmerizing. But the real showstopper? My close encounter with kangaroos. Seeing them in photos is one thing, but standing right in front of them is an entirely different experience. They are incredibly muscular, lean, and tall. Honestly, it was a bit intimidating — at one point, I thought one might throw a punch at me!

Since then, I’ve become totally hooked on kangaroos. So, I did some light reading and research to learn more about these fun creatures, and I’m thrilled to share what I discovered.

Here are some kangaroo facts that highlight just how badass these marsupials really are.

10 Amazing Facts About Kangaroos

10 Fun Kangaroo FactsKangaroos are marsupial animals native to Australia. With dozens of cartoons, TV shows, and films featuring these creatures, they are easy to recognize. Most kangaroos have long tails, powerful hind legs, and the distinctive pouch that keeps their young safe and secure.

1. Kangaroos Can Cover Up to 25 to 30 Feet in a Single Bound

Imagine four six-foot-tall Americans lying flat on the ground, stacked one on top of the other. That’s how far a kangaroo can cover in a single bound!

On top of that, these creatures can leap about 6-10 feet off the ground, which means they can easily hop over any human being living on this planet.

2. They Are the Largest Marsupial Animal

There’s a reason why many feel intimidated when seeing a kangaroo up close. These guys aren’t cute-sized — they stand five to six feet tall.

A kangaroo can be taller than many people of average height. They can also weigh more than 180 pounds, with some male kangaroos weighing up to 200 pounds.

3. Kangaroos Are Herbivores

10 Fun Kangaroo FactsWhile kangaroos are impressively large and muscular, their diet usually doesn’t involve meat. They consume grass, fungi, moss, and shrubs. To aid in their digestion, these animals have specialized teeth and chambered stomachs (similar to cows).

Like cattle and other ruminant animals, kangaroos can also regurgitate their food before chewing and swallowing it again. I know it sounds disgusting, but they only do this occasionally, usually when they’re under stress.

4. Aside from Hopping, Kangaroos Can Also Swim

I never thought kangaroos were actually good swimmers, but it seems they are. To evade predators, kangaroos “developed” the ability to swim.

Once the predator joins the kangaroo in the water, the kangaroo uses its front paws to knock and drown them. It’s a bit like the incredible marine life I encountered while exploring the Great Barrier Reef — where nature’s survival tactics are on full display, just in an aquatic setting.

5. Kangaroos Can Move Faster Than Race Horses in Short Distances

On average, our marsupial boxers can move 21 to 26 kilometers per hour. But for short distances, they can reach speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour, which is faster than the average speed of racehorses.

Well, this isn’t too surprising. Kangaroos have massive, powerful hind legs that let them jump up to 10 meters in a single leap. In just a few minutes, they can cover hundreds of meters! This is why you should not mess with a kangaroo unless you can run like a cheetah.

6. Joeys Are Actually Very Tiny

Kangaroos are pretty large and tall, right? But believe it or not, newborn joeys are only around the size of a grape (2.5 to 3 centimeters)! This makes baby kangaroos incredibly vulnerable to predators and the elements. To protect them, the mother kangaroo puts them in her furry pouch.

7. Male Kangaroos Usually Do Sparring

Male kangaroos often fight each other by kicking or punching to assert dominance (and win over female kangaroos). Their huge muscles and powerful claws can knock out their opponent, while their thick fur serves as “armor” for protection.

Check out my coverage of Narawntapu National Park to read about my close call with one specific kangaroo — an encounter that could have easily turned into a sparring match.

8. The Genitals of Kangaroos Are Weird

In male kangaroos, the testicles are located above the penis! Meanwhile, female kangaroos have three vaginas — one for giving birth and the other two leading to two uteruses. When kangaroos copulate, male kangaroos use a two-pronged penis to insert into the female’s two “sperm-receiving” vaginas.

9. Their Tail Can Serve As Their Fifth Leg

When moving at a slower pace and over shorter distances, a kangaroo uses its tail as a fifth leg. This is known as “pentapedal locomotion.” However, for longer distances (greater than 15 feet), they won’t use their tail and will instead hop to their destination.

10. Kangaroos Are Chill Animals

Contrary to countless YouTube videos of kangaroos boxing with humans, these marsupials rarely pick a fight with anyone unless provoked.

Most of the time, kangaroos will ignore you and continue with their own business. Of course, some male kangaroos can be aggressive and threaten humans with their “fighting” stance.

So, when you get the chance to explore the best spots in Australia, make sure to catch a glimpse of a kangaroo in the wild. Just remember to keep your distance so they won’t knock you off.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kangaroos

Still curious about kangaroos? Dive into more fascinating facts about these iconic marsupials below!

Are Kangaroos Right or Left-Handed?

Most kangaroos are observed to be left-handed, as they tend to use their left limb more often for feeding or grooming.

What Is the Average Lifespan of a Kangaroo?

In the wild, the average lifespan of a kangaroo is shorter (around 8 years) due to predators. However, in captivity, kangaroos can live up to 25 years.

What Do Kangaroos Use for Shelter?

During the day, kangaroos often stay under trees or shrubs for protection against the sun’s heat. At night, most kangaroos forage for food or stay in open spaces.

Hopping Off: Fascinating Kangaroo Facts to Remember

Kangaroos are a defining element of Australia’s rich indigenous culture and wildlife. Along with the emu, this cute and furry animal is even included in the country’s coat of arms.

From their spring-loaded legs to their pouch parenting, every detail about them feels like something out of a nature documentary.

After my time in Australia, I can’t help but admire these creatures even more. They’re strong, agile, and surprisingly complex. If you ever have the chance to see them up close, you’ll understand why these animals continue to captivate people around the world.

Valentina Lopez
Valentina Lopez
Born and raised in Florida, Valentina soon realized that she was in possession of a boundless gypsy soul. While traveling the globe and experiencing other cultures is her calling, her true passion lies in bringing people closer together and helping them realize that the entire planet is just one big community. That passion, along with her love for the written word, made travel reporting a natural fit for Valentina. She enjoys nothing more than diving headlong into obscure cultures and communities, learning their stories, and then sharing those stories with the world. Of course, she also has her hobbies. These include exploring caves and coral reefs with her well-worn scuba gear, navigating backroads in search of hidden geocaches, and immersing herself in the nightlife of whichever locale she happens to be in at the time. (She also has a real weakness for games of chance, but that’s not the sort of thing you include in a biography…) As our resident travel reporter, Valentina is committed to bringing the culture of the world directly to your doorstep. Whether her writing inspires your next adventure or just puts a few faces to the unfamiliar, we hope her experiences and exploits light a spark of curiosity and exploration in your heart as well.
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