Interesting hoping animals, called kangaroos are found in Australia mainly. Their distinct feature is not only their hoping but also their pouches. The female kangaroos have a pouch in which they carry their young to protect them from outsiders and predators. Kangaroos are not only giant but they can also be small. There is in fact a species of rats that are just like kangaroos, a small version of them. A species of kangaroos can also climb up the trees. To know more facts about them check the below lines.
1. Kangaroo
The name has taken its base from an aboriginal word gangurru and there is a story associated with it. The local residents think that the name is actually from a word which means “I don’t know” or “I don’t understand”. Kangaroo is the name given to all the animals belonging to the macropods.
2. Two families
Kangaroos are divided into two families. Macropodidae, include kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, pademelons, tree kangaroos and forest wallabies and Potoroidae include rat kangaroos, potoroos and bettongs.
3. Their distribution
The kangaroos are thought to live only in Australia while this is not true. The tree species of kangaroos also live in New Guinea.
4. Red kangaroos
One of the kangaroos is called red kangaroos because of their skin color. They are found in the big opening plains covering the dry interior.
5. Grey kangaroos
Grey kangaroos are found as the most common species of kangaroos in Australia. They live in the moist and green places and are not as famous as red kangaroos are.
6. Tree kangaroos
This species of kangaroos is famous for its climbing on the trees. It is found in the north and further north in New Guinea.
7. Hopping
Hopping is the distinction of kangaroos. They are the only large animals on planet earth who hop. The thing that is not known many is that kangaroos can only move forward they cannot move back. This is because they hop and hopping does not allow moving back.
8. Hind legs
All the kangaroos except the tree kangaroos have very strong hind legs and large feet. They need them because they hop and big feet give them the balance they need.
9. The natural gift
Hopping should not be seen as a hazard but a blessing because it is the energy efficient and speedy way of moving in a land where food and water is not found easily.
10. Swimmers
Kangaroos are very good swimmers. The interesting fact about them is that they cannot use their legs independently on ground but they use them independently when they swim.