Anyone who carries a kangaroo stuffed toy may have once travelled to Australia. While also seen in other countries, kangaroos are native to Australia. Along with koalas, they often grace posters promoting tourism in this country.
Whether you have seen these creatures in person or on the National Geographic Channel, you’re likely to know two facts about them. One, they get around by hopping. Two, the mothers carry their young in a pouch.
But there are a lot more things that set kangaroos apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. Here are some amazing facts about these creatures that you may not have known:
Happy Hoppers
Kangaroos are known for having great stamina, especially when moving at a high speed. One reason behind this is the fact that hopping takes less energy than four-footed running. However, the opposite is true if a kangaroo hops at a low speed.
It’s amazing that kangaroos cannot move their feet independently. Instead, they can only move their hind feet together when on land. However, hen these creatures swim, they have the ability to kick each leg independently.
In the case of tree-kangaroos, they only have the ability to move their legs independently when they climb trees and other high objects.
An Australian Tail
Like other animals with tails, some species of kangaroos can use their tails to carry nesting materials like small branches and grass. While tree-kangaroos have the ability to climb trees, they cannot wrap their tails around objects.
Birth Control
Even kangaroos know about birth control, but unlike humans, they don’t take pills. It’s all about the mother kangaroo’s ability to delay the birth of her young. In fact, she can actually delay the progress of her pregnancy.