Kangaroos Rachel Clayton

Kangaroos’ long and muscular tails are mostly used for keeping balance while hopping. Did you know that there are many types of kangaroos? One of them is a musky rat kangaroo,which is about the size of an average North American rabbit!

Kangaroos groom each other to keep the group close and clean.

Young kangaroos love to wrestle their mothers. This helps their survival skills.

When attacked a kangaroo will lead the attacker (such as a wild dog) into a large or medium body of water. Then, the kangaroo will clutch the attacker and cause it to drown. An ancient aboriginal legend tells about large creatures flying through the air in a horrible storm. They were trying to touch the ground, but they were just stretching their legs! Finally, the storm died out and they touched the ground. But, instead of walking, they were hopping very awkwardly too… So that explains why they hop and have long legs!

To get back in the pouch a Joey will grip the edge of the pouch and dive in head first. Then, it somersaults until its head is up again. A Joey can explore the world very safely by just staying in the pouch!

Kangaroos eat at night. Occasionally, when it is cloudy, they eat at day. Most of the kangaroo groups that do this are large ones. Which means more eyes to watch for danger!

When chased by dingoes a mother kangaroo will leap away with the Joey in her pouch. But, sometimes her long, muscular, and powerful legs need less weight to carry. So the mother hides the Joey in some shrubs.

Kangaroos use the five claws on their front paws just like you use a comb!

Websites and books about kangaroos ZOOBOOKS Kangaroos

September 2004, twenty-first edition. Animations by Rachel Clayton. Resources from, ZOOBOOKS.