Species . Kangaroo, any of six large species of Australian marsupials noted for hopping and bouncing on their hind legs. The red kangaroos which belong to the species Macropus rufus are the largest of all Kangaroos in the world. Kangaroos use their strong tails for balance while jumping. Kangaroo leather is very strong due to the structure of the collagen fibers in the skin. 18. Kangaroos belong to the animal family Macropus, literally "big foot." They are the tallest of all marsupials, standing over 6 feet tall. Kangaroos only live to be about six years old in the wild. (Only the tree kangaroos have strong front legs as well, and smaller back legs compared to other kangaroos.) Unlike cows, sheep, or other animals kangaroos do not have sweat glands within their skin. 21. Thanks to their large feet, kangaroos can leap some 30 feet (9 meters) in a single bound, and travel more than 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour . The kangaroo … Because a kangaroo’s legs are so strong and muscular, they are often used as weapons for defending themselves against predators. Kangaroos are the only large animals in this world that have a hopping locomotion and they cannot move backwards! The red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) is the largest. Red kangaroos are not weaned until a year after birth and Eastern and Western Grey Kangaroos are not weaned until they are nearly 18 months old. Newborn joeys are just one inch long … 24. In popular culture, kangaroos are cute animals that carry their adorably-named baby Joeys in pouches on their bellies. The large and strong tail is used for balance when hopping, and as fifth limb when moving about on all four legs, er, five. The mother and joey bond is immensely strong. If threatened, kangaroos pound the ground with their strong feet to alert and warn the others in the group. 19. Kangaroos are found in Eastern Australia, where they live in small groups called troops or herds (or ‘mobs’ by Australians), typically made up of 50 or more animals. 23. A kangaroos possesses a very strong and long tail that is usually used for balancing while hopping. There are four major species of kangaroos. All kangaroos have strong hind legs and large feet except the Tree Kangaroos that have weak and small hind legs. Kangaroos use their teeth, claws, and strong hind legs as defense mechanisms against such predators. Kangaroos use their strong tails for balance while jumping. Female kangaroos sport a pouch on their belly, made by a fold in the skin, to cradle baby kangaroos called joeys. 20. Males of the species have red/brown fur. They have very long and strong hind limbs but their forelimbs are short. In the outback, groups of bachelor male kangaroos spend hours a day competing in mock battles, waiting and training for the chance to overturn an alpha male.. 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