A kangaroo is a marsupial native to Australia. They have large, powerful hind legs and feet adapted for the hopping motion they use to move around. Their long, muscular tail also serves to help keep them balanced.
You might think they're cute and cuddly, if you ever cross by one... but watch out, because they have the ability to cause serious harm to people, when they feel threatened. Like most marsupials, females have a pouch in which children (joeys) complete their development.
(image source: http://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/discoverycentre/wild/victorian-environments/mallee/red-kangaroo/)
Larger kangaroos have adapted much better to changes brought to the Australian landscape by humans, and though many of their smaller relatives are endangered, there is still an abundance of all kangaroo species. They are not farmed at all, but wild kangaroos are shot for their meat, leather hides, and to protect grazing land for sheep and cattle.
The kangaroo as you can assume is a great symbol of Austrailia. You can see this as they appear on the Australian coat of arms, on some currency, and also by some of Australia’s well known organisations, including Qantas and the Royal Australian Air Force. The kangaroo is important to both Australian culture and our national image.
(image source: http://boardsandgovernance.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/ipads-for-qantas.html & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Australian_Coat_of_Arms.png)
Click the following link to see a video of kangaroos boxing : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiTG6T9pTcM
(BEN TAYLOR)
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