Learning about the Australian Kangaroo
Kangaroo Facts
Kangaroos are one of Australia's most loved animals. They are not often seen in the city outside of animal parks and usually live in the Australian outback.
While they look very cute, even graceful when they are jumping, they can also be dangerous. Kangaroos are very strong and occasionally aggressive. They are considered endangered although their numbers have increased in recent years.
This page is full of facts, photos, songs and links for help you find out more about these amazing Australian animals.
Photo credit: Tannin
Unless credited all images are the authors own.
Kangaroos can not walk backwards
10 facts about Kangaroos
- Kangaroos can weigh between 1 and 90 kilograms
- There are more than 60 different species of Kangaroo
- Kangaroos are mostly nocturnal - they are usually seen at dawn and dusk
- A baby Kangaroo is called a Joey and lives in its mothers pouch until it is between 7 and 8 months old
- The Kangaroos features on a $1 coin and the Australian coat of arms
- Red kangaroos can grow up to 6 feet tall
- A newborn kangaroo has no eyes or ears - these develop later when it is in the mothers pouch
- A group of Kangaroos is known as a mob
- Kangaroos use their tails to balance
- Most Kangaroos live between 5-8 years but they can grow to over 20 years
A sleepy sunbathing Kangaroo
Want to know more about Kangaroos?
From story books featuring Kangaroos to books chock full of kangaroo facts why not try one of these.
The Kangaroo Song
Kangaroos are most active at dawn and dusk. Drivers need to be extra careful on highways at these times so they don't hit them.
Color a Kangaroo - Color Australia's favorite animal
- Kangaroo to color
Kangaroo and joey to color - K is for Kangaroo
Kangaroo and Joey with the word Kangaroo outlined - Kangaroo
Realistic Kangaroo drawing
Most Australians first see Kangaroos in a zoo
Not sure what that song was all about?
Check out this page that gives the lyrics and explains the meaning of this song.
Read a kangaroo book - by best loved children's author Eric Carle
This beautifully illustrated book about baby animals and their mothers will make a lovely gift for any child.
Kangaroo Lesson Plans - Teaching and learning about Kangaroos
- Kangaroo Dreamtime Story
A traditional Aboriginal dream-time story about Bohra The Kangaroo - How the Kangaroo got it's pouch
A language arts lesson about the legend behind the Kangaroo's pouch for children 6-9 years - Big Red Kangaroo
A PBS show about Australia's red kangaroo. Understanding how they survive in the outback, a fun boxing kangaroo game and more. - Kangaroos and Wallaby Facts
Fact sheets on Kangaroos and Wallabies detailing where kangaroos live and the threats they face. - Kangaroo Quiz
Information and quiz page with good diagram - Red Kangaroos
All about Red Kangaroos from the National Wildlife Federation. - Kangaroos and their relatives
Information about all species in the Kangaroo family - Kangaroo Characteristics
Tables of details about kangaroos and their habitat
Watch a Kangaroo being born
At Pebbly Beach in NSW you can see kangaroos relaxing on the beach
Plush Kangaroo
This GUND stuffed Kangaroo is a beautiful gift. It is made from high quality materials as expected with this brand. The baby joey can be removed from the pouch which is not always a feature of mother and joey stuffed toys.
Boxing Kangaroos
Photo credit: By Dellex via Wikimedia Commons
The Kangaroo is a symbol of Australia. The Boxing Kangaroo flag is often see at sporting events.
Related
Have you ever seen a kangaroo?
Only in the zoo. The birth video is amazing. It must really be something to see them in the open.
I love te sunbathing kangaroo pictures! So funny!
Almost daily. I live in Australia's capital city and they graze around the local university in the mornings and evenings.
Loads, I lived in Rockhampton, Queenslad for 6 months years ago, and wild kangaroos, emus and wallabies were a familiar site. I even saw a dingo once, in the road. Happily, I never saw a snake, though cockroaches took some getting used to.
@aesta1: That's because there are not that many left to see
Like all Australian marsupials, the kangaroo is presently being exterminated as vermin by disgruntled cow and sheep farmers. I guess this is a result of the convict spawn mentality left over from the British invasion some 200 years ago. When droughts occur, the poor and ignorant farmers consider the kangaroo as competition for scarce feed. The result is culling. We are so proud of our "roo" shooters who spend most of their days drinking beer and bragging about their involvement in decimating our precious wildlife. Makes me so proud to be a fair dinkum Aussie. How about you?
No, I've never seen a real live kangaroo :(
Yes, one visited the gardens of the hotel I was staying in last month!
Just at the zoo! I still can not part with my son's stuffed kangaroo even though he is 13 :)
Not in the wilds. I wish I will see them one day.
What a funny sunbathing kangaroo picture. Too much beer for him? (LOL)
I've only seen them in zoos but they are so unique. Create information presented here. Nicely done.
Such fascinating creatures - I've seen them at the zoo, though I'd love to go see them in the wild. Blessed by a SquidAngel!
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