Kangaroos are the largest land mammal native to Australia. The red kangaroo is just one of about 60 species of kangaroos and their smaller relatives (wallabies, bettongs and potoroos) found in Australia. Many of those other relative species are now threatened or extinct.
Even though they have two legs, kangaroos can’t walk like you might expect. Instead, they use their spring-loaded legs to hop across the land, which is a more energy-efficient way for these big mammals to travel. Thick leg tendons attached to their hips make fast, high and wide leaps. Their thick tails help balance their body weight while at rest.
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When winter weather settles into Indiana, there’s still lots of opportunities to get outdoors and explore at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Published Oct. 16, 2021 Our furry family will welcome several new roo-mates next year! Opening summer 2022, Kangaroo Crossing presented...
Published May 28, 2021 Don’t miss your chance to encounter a cold-blooded marvel! (And be startled by those eyes —...
Published May 24, 2021 There are two newcomers to our flock of Forests birds! Bald eagle Lincoln and golden eagle...
Published May 14, 2021 There is a new cat that visitors can see prowling through the trees of the Indianapolis...
Published March 15, 2021 Your extra change has the power to make a big difference for conservation. Through the Zoo’s...
Published March 3, 2021 Forests cover nearly a third of the Earth’s land surface and are central to sustaining life. In Indiana, Hoosier...
Published Feb. 12, 2021 Boxes of chocolates, bouquets of flowers, heart-shaped cards — expressions of love and romance are what Valentine’s...
Our first Zoo baby of the new year just arrived in Forests! A white-handed gibbon named Kavi was born in the...
As one of the largest animals on this continent, the polar bear is an awe-inspiring species. For Nick O’Hare, the...