How Fast Can A Kangaroo Run?

Kangaroos are wonderful animals that have a unique build, which distinguishes them from other animals. Have you ever wondered how fast a kangaroo can run? You are not alone if you have.

These amazing animals are famous for their hopping, bouncing, and jumping abilities. In this article, we will find out how fast a kangaroo can run, the factors that affect their speed, and why they run the way they do.

Table of Contents

What is a Kangaroo?

For those who might not be familiar with kangaroos, this section will provide brief information about them.

Kangaroos are marsupials, which means that they are mammals that have pouches where they keep their offspring. Other animals that are marsupials include koalas, wombats, and opossums.

Even though there are other marsupials in the animal kingdom, kangaroos are the largest and most well-known. They also belong to a group of plant-eating marsupial mammals called macropods.

Kangaroos have very large and powerful hind legs that they use for hopping and running. They also have a long and muscular tail, which they use for balance and support.

There are four main species of kangaroos: the red kangaroo, the eastern gray kangaroo, the western gray kangaroo, and the antilopine kangaroo. Each species is unique in its own way.

The red kangaroo is the largest and most common species and lives in dry and open areas of central and western Australia. The antilopine kangaroo is the smallest and rarest species.

Now that we know what a kangaroo is, let’s answer the main question: how fast can a kangaroo run? The answer is simple. A kangaroo runs very fast.

Kangaroos can run up to 70 km/h (43 mph) when they are chased or threatened. That is faster than most cars on the road! Kangaroos can also maintain a speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) for long distances. That is faster than most humans can run.

These creatures can also jump up to 9 m (30 ft) in a single bound; this is due to their strong hind legs and tail. This is as high as a school bus.

What Factors Affect a Kangaroo’s Speed?

How fast a kangaroo can run depends on several factors, such as:

1. Size

Kangaroos that are bigger can run faster than smaller kangaroos. This means that the red kangaroo, which is the largest species, can run the fastest of all. While the antilopine kangaroo, which is the smallest species, can run the slowest of all.

2. Terrain

The speed of animals, cars, and even humans depends on factors like surface. It is easier for kangaroos to run faster on flat and smooth surfaces than on rough and uneven surfaces.

3. Weather

Climate change can affect how fast kangaroos can run. For example, they should be able to run faster in cool and dry conditions than in hot and humid conditions.

Kangaroos thrive in the arid and semi-arid climates of Australia since they can conserve water and energy and not get dehydrated.

4. Mood

Mood is another factor that affects the speed of not just kangaroos but other wild animals as well. Animals tend to run faster when they are excited or scared than when they are calm or tired.

Why Do Kangaroos Run The Way They Do?

Due to the way kangaroos are built up, they run by hopping on their hind legs. Here are some reasons why kangaroos run the way they do:

1. Hopping saves energy

Since kangaroos have elastic tendons and ligaments in their legs, which act like springs, when they hop, they store energy in these springs and then release it in the next hop. This way, less muscle power and oxygen are used to run.

2. Hopping increases speed

When kangaroos hop, they use their hind legs to accelerate and decelerate quickly by changing the intensity of their hops.

Bottom Line

Kangaroos can run up to 70 km/h (43 mph) when they are chased or in a tough situation, and 40 km/h (25 mph) for long distances. They can adjust their speeds based on the condition of the terrain and the situation.

FAQs

Can a human outrun a kangaroo?

No, a human can not outrun a kangaroo. This is because kangaroos are faster than humans.

A kangaroo’s lowest natural running speed is about 25 km per hour, and it can comfortably run at 40km per hour for distances up to 2 kilometers.

What animal is faster than a kangaroo?

There are many animals that are faster than kangaroos; a few of them are blackbucks, brown hares, and greyhounds.

How fast can a human run?

The fastest human ever recorded was Usain Bolt, who ran at 44.72 km/h (27.8 mph) in 2009. The average human can run at 15 km/h (9.3 mph) for short distances and 12 km/h (7.5 mph) for long distances.

How fast can a kangaroo swim?

Kangaroos are not fast swimmers due to the way their body is built. But they do swim when they have to with the help of their legs and tail.

Louis Ojibe

Hi, I’m Louis Ojibe, and I grew up around wildlife in Africa. I have always been fascinated by animals and nature across the world.
As a child, my parents used to take me to see wild animals like lions, elephants, gorillas, tortoises, and many others at our local zoo.