Kangaroos bounce across Australia on springy back legs, using their thick tails for balance like a fifth leg. Moms carry their babies — called joeys — in a built-in belly pouch for months while they grow.
📋 Kangaroo at a glance
⚡ Superpower
One kangaroo hop can cover 25 feet — about the length of a school bus seat row — and they barely get tired.
🤩 Amazing Kangaroo facts
Kangaroos can't walk backward — their big feet and tail get in the way.
❓ Common questions about kangaroos
How big is a kangaroo?
Up to 200 lb (90 kg). Kangaroos can't walk backward — their big feet and tail get in the way.
Where do kangaroos live?
Kangaroos live in the wild: australian grasslands & bush. They are wild animals and are never kept as pets.
How long do kangaroos live?
Kangaroos typically live 8–12 years in the wild.
Can you keep a kangaroo as a pet?
No — Kangaroos are wild animals that belong in the wild (australian grasslands & bush), and keeping one would be unsafe and usually illegal. The closest pet you can actually keep is a rabbit — see our care guide.
Could you keep a kangaroo as a pet?
No — kangaroos are wild animals that belong in the wild, and keeping one would be unsafe and almost always illegal. But if kangaroos are your favorite, here's the closest pet you actually can welcome home:
Meet the RabbitBecause no pet hops like a kangaroo, but a rabbit brings the same bouncy, long-eared energy on a pet-sized scale.
See care guide →
🎬 See kangaroos in action
Watch kid-friendly videos about kangaroos on YouTube.
▶ Watch Kangaroo videos on YouTube