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Lesson ID: 11430
Leap into the life of the kangaroo—Australia’s most famous marsupial! Learn how it moves, eats, and raises its joey in a built-in pouch.
Hop into the World of Kangaroos!
Imagine being able to leap across your backyard in one giant jump—or racing down the street faster than a car in a school zone. Kangaroos can!
These powerful animals move in a way no other mammal does. From their enormous legs to their built-in baby carriers, kangaroos are some of the coolest creatures in the wild.
Jump in and learn all about them!
What Is a Kangaroo?
Kangaroos are mammals, which means they have fur or hair, are warm-blooded, and feed their babies milk. But kangaroos are also a special kind of mammal called a marsupial.
Marsupials give birth to very tiny, underdeveloped babies that continue growing in their mother’s pouch. These babies are called joeys.
Kangaroos live in Australia, where they move around in groups called mobs. These groups are also sometimes called herds or troops.
Powerful Legs and Fast Hops
Kangaroos are known for jumping—and they’re really good at it! Their large, strong hind legs help them leap up to 30 feet in a single bound.
When they want to move slowly, they use their short arms and thick tails to crawl. But when they want to go fast, watch out—they can hop at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour!
Their long tails also help them balance while they move or when they stand still.
Eating in the Wild
Kangaroos are herbivores, which means they eat only plants. Most of the time, they graze on grass, but they also enjoy leaves from bushes and trees.
Four Types of Kangaroos
There are four main types of kangaroos, and each one lives in a different part of Australia.
Red Kangaroo
Found all over Australia in open grasslands and deserts. Joeys start exploring outside the pouch around 3 months old but return to it until about 8 months.
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Lives in forests and grasslands in Australia and Tasmania. Joeys begin leaving the pouch at 2 months old but stay close and return often until they’re about 10 or 11 months old.
Western Grey Kangaroo
Found in western and southern Australia. These joeys stay in the pouch for about 8 months and stop using it by 10 months.
Antilopine Kangaroo: Lives in the hot northern parts of Australia. Its joey stays in the pouch until 6 months old and is fully out by 8 months.
You’ve met some amazing kangaroos and learned how they hop, eat, and raise their young.
Now, see what you remember and practice what you’ve learned in the Got It? section!
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