Last updated on May 31st, 2023
33. A kangaroo can swivel his ears in any direction so he can hear better, just like cats. Kangaroos also have decent eyesight, although they see best when things are in motion.
34. Kangaroos have a dominant hand, like people. However, unlike most humans, a kangaroo’s dominant hand is actually the left hand.
No methane
35. Kangaroos do not release methane the way that cattle do. Instead, their bodies turn by-product gases into a form of salt called acetate, which they use for more energy. Scientists have found that this is all thanks to a specific bacterium in their stomachs. Scientists are working on a way to introduce the method to cattle in order to reduce carbon emissions.
New teeth when needed
36. Kangaroos can regrow their teeth. A herbivorous diet wears down teeth over time, so kangaroos evolved in a way that fixes the problem. As their molars wear down, the teeth push their way up and fall out, allowing space for new teeth to grow in. According to Fact Animal, kangaroos are polyphyodont like manatees and elephants.
37. Despite the cool things kangaroos do, there are some simple things that they cannot do, such as hop backward.
Pentapedal
38. When cruising at low speeds, kangaroos rely on their tails to act as a third leg. They form a tripod with their arms and tail, which provide balance while their legs are in motion. This process is known as pentapedal locomotion.
Predators
39. Few animals will go after a kangaroo, but potential predators that kangaroos watch out for include dingos, feral cats, dogs, foxes, and eagles. Sadly, they also must be aware of humans, who often hunt them for their meat or hide.
In defence
40. However, they know how to take care of predators. Since kangaroos are fantastic swimmers, they will lead predators to the water. If a predator follows them into the water, kangaroos use their strong arms to hold the predator at bay and will even go as far as to drown them if necessary.
41. If there is no water in the immediate vicinity, kangaroos will find a sturdy tree to lean against and employ their powerful legs to kick at the predator.
Their kick is lethal
42. A single kick from a kangaroo’s hind legs has enough force to kill a human. However, kangaroos do not look for a fight and are more likely to flee than to fight. When provoked, kangaroos may retaliate, but it is uncommon for them to kick or box a human. Instead, people should be more wary of the sharp claws on their forearms, which will cause deep flesh wounds.
To save life
43. Perhaps it is because of their ability to grow another baby in a snap, but female kangaroos have sacrificed their young in dire situations. If they cannot escape a predator by any other means, they will throw their baby at a predator as a distraction that allows them to run.
44. Like deer in the United States, drivers in Australia are mindful of kangaroos hopping in front of cars. According to The Fact Site, upwards of “80% of animals hit by cars in Australia are kangaroos.”
Roo bars!
45. Striking a kangaroo is so common in Australia that many residents have permanent bars on the front of their vehicles, called “roo” bars, that take the brunt of the impact when a kangaroo gets hit.
Unique characteristic
46. Kangaroos can only sweat while they are hopping. As soon as they come to a stop, the sweat glands become useless. Instead, kangaroos start panting, but sometimes that is not enough to cool them down. To combat the extreme heat, they lounge in the shade and lick their arms, where they have hundreds of blood vessels. This process causes the moisture to evaporate while cooling their blood.
47. Kangaroos have become a popular source of protein for Australian natives. Restaurants regularly serve roo burgers and other similar delicacies, including roo pizza, kangaroo steak or strip loin, roo skewers, Asian fusion roo, kangaroo salad, and kangaroo jerky.
Healthy meat
48. The meat from kangaroos is healthier and more sustainable than any other type of meat. It is a lean meat that contains less than 2% fat. It is high in B vitamins, protein, and minerals like zinc and iron. In addition, since they are not farm-raised like cattle, there are no antibiotics, chemicals, or added growth hormones.
Meat is exported
49. This culinary practice caught on over time. Australia now exports kangaroo meat to more than 55 countries. Eurogroup for Animals shows that as of 2020, Belgium was the primary market for kangaroo meat exports, with Germany coming in as a close second. The Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom also purchased plenty of the meat. Additionally, Italy and Germany had large markets for kangaroo hides, skins, and leather.