Kangaroos: The extraordinary hoppers of the Australian wild, by Gift Luckson
Kangaroos are among the most iconic animals in the world, instantly recognised for their powerful legs, long tail, and unique way of moving.
Native to Australia, these remarkable creatures belong to the marsupial family, meaning they carry and raise their young, called joeys, in pouches. They are known for their incredible ability to hop at high speeds, kangaroos can cover great distances in a single leap, thanks to their strong hind legs.
Their long tail helps them balance while moving and acts as support when standing or fighting. Kangaroos are social animals, often found in groups called “mobs,” which offer protection and help the animals thrive in the wild.
They feed mainly on grasses and shrubs, making them important grazers that help maintain Australia’s ecosystems. Beyond their physical strength and agility, kangaroos are symbols of resilience, adaptability, and the unique wildlife heritage of Australia.
The Australian government estimates that 42.8 million kangaroos lived within the commercial harvest areas of Australia in 2019, down from 53.2 million in 2013.
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Because of its grazing habits, the kangaroo has developed specialised teeth that are rare among mammals. Its incisors can crop grass close to the ground and its molars chop and grind the grass.
Since the two sides of the lower jaw are not joined or fused together, the lower incisors are farther apart, giving the kangaroo a wider bite. The silica in grass is abrasive, so kangaroo molars are ground down and they actually move forward in the mouth before they eventually fall out, and are replaced by new teeth that grow in the back. This process is known as polyphyodonty, and it only occurs in elephants and manatees.
The kangaroo, along with the koala, is a symbol of Australia. A kangaroo appears on the Australian coat of arms and on some of its currency, and is used as a logo for some of Australia’s most well-known organisations, such as Qantas, and as the roundel of the Royal Australian Air Force.
The kangaroo is important to both Australian culture and the national image, and consequently, there are numerous popular culture references.
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