Kangaroos have been known to reach a standing vertical leap of 8 meters. Since kangaroos use their tail as a third leg, this could give them an advantage over other animals who only have two legs. They are a type of macropod, which means ‘large foot.’

The red kangaroo is the largest of all kangaroos and the largest living marsupial globally. It can grow to 1.9 meters high and weigh 90 kg (200 lbs). Females are much smaller; the maximum size is 1.4 meters high and 18 kg (40 lbs).

The kangaroo’s legs work much like a rubber band. Muscles in the back of the thigh contract and stretch the leg backward; when they release, the energy stored is used to propel the animal forward.

Kangaroos can’t walk backward, but they are good swimmers despite not having any visible tails. They move their legs in a frog-like fashion, pushing the foot on the ground down and back up quickly.

The kangaroo is an animal that has adapted to Australia’s dry climate by storing water very efficiently. The kidneys of the red kangaroo can produce nearly two liters of liquid waste each day, but that liquid is almost completely reabsorbed back into the body.

The kangaroo’s extraordinary jumping ability is attributed to its highly developed legs and large feet. It uses its tail for balance when it lands, much like a cat or other creatures do. The muscles in their tails can store energy like a coil spring, allowing them to jump multiple times consecutively.

Their average speed over short distances is around 48 kph (30 mph), but speeds of up to 70 kph (45 mph) can be attained over longer distances. Their lifespan is about 20 years.

Kangaroos don’t sweat but rather regulate their body temperature through their mouths by panting. A baby kangaroo is called a joey. It usually stays in the pouch for up to a year. If it leaves, it can be independent within days.

Kangaroos have been known to use their back legs as a weapon when threatened or in a fight. They generate large amounts of power over short periods thanks to a special muscle arrangement across their back that stores potential energy like a spring.

Certain types of kangaroos are being raised on farms for their meat and fur. The red variety is the most popular breed, but they have also been mixed with other species to obtain different colors and patterns. Humans have had a significant impact on the current number of kangaroos. European settlers killed them for their meat and fur and destroyed much of the kangaroos’ natural habitat.

The red kangaroo appears on the reverse of the Australian 20 cent coin (or ‘marsh-mallow’). The name ‘kangaroo’ comes from an Australian Aboriginal word that means ‘I don’t know. Kangaroos are also called ‘roos.’