Another Aussie marsupial that is as iconic as any other symbol of Australia. There a 4 different types – red, eastern grey, western grey, and antilopine. Like the Australian emu, kangaroos can only move forward, and it is partially for this reason that the kangaroo and the emu are on the Australian Coat of Arms. Australians have a reputation for getting over themselves pretty quickly, treating each other fairly, helping those in need, and moving forward when life tries to take us down. I am proud of that.
Kangaroos in full motion can jump 3 times their own body length (30 ft, 9 meters) in one bounce, traveling around 40 miles an hour! (64 km). They are herbivores. They can survive a long time without water. Their typical life span is 8 to 23 years. In groups, they are referred to as a ‘MOB’, a ‘troop’, or a ‘herd’. They LOVE company so you rarely see them alone. Like koalas, their young are called ‘joeys’ and are nurtured in mum’s pouch initially (7-10 months). At birth, a joey weighs less than a gram and is around 2cm in length but they can grow to 10 feet tall. Males are called ‘Boomers’, and females are called ‘Flyers’. An encounter with them always leaves me in awe. They are magical and intelligent.
