How fast can kangaroos run?
Kangaroos don’t run – they hop. But the biggest red kangaroos can travel at speeds of up to 55km/h.
Kangaroos are known for their incredible speed and agility. The exact speed at which kangaroos can run depends on several factors, including the species of kangaroo, their size, and the terrain they are running on.
Fastest speed for kangaroos
The red kangaroo, which is the largest species of kangaroo, is also the fastest. They can reach speeds of up to 56 km/h (35 mph) in short bursts, which allows them to cover a lot of ground quickly and escape from predators.
Other species of kangaroo, such as the eastern grey kangaroo and the western grey kangaroo, can reach speeds of up to 48 km/h (30 mph) when hopping at full speed.
Tick off 9 Australian bucket list experiences
- Take Blue Mountains day tour from Sydney – with kangaroo-feeding at a wildlife park, Scenic World tickets and a Parramatta River cruise.
- Snorkel or dive on the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns.
- Do Australia’s most spectacular drive on a Great Ocean Road day tour from Melbourne.
- Drive along the beach on a 4WD day tour of Fraser Island, the world’s biggest sand island.
- Have a dune-top barbecue dinner and stargazing session in the shadow of Uluru.
- See penguins on Phillip Island – and more native wildlife at the Moonlit Sanctuary – on a day trip from Melbourne.
- Go snorkelling, sandboarding and kayaking on Moreton Island from Brisbane.
- Meet gloriously cute quokkas on Rottnest Island near Perth with a ferry and bike hire package.
- Kayak with dolphins in Byron Bay.
How do kangaroos run?
It’s worth noting that kangaroos are built for hopping rather than running, and their hopping gait is very energy-efficient, allowing them to cover large distances without expending too much energy.
The collective noun for kangaroos is a mob, and they generally hang out in groups. The best time to see kangaroos in Australia is dawn or dusk, when they are usually more active.
As for the Australian kangaroo population, it is thought that around 50 million roos live in the country.
Good places to see kangaroos in Australia include Yanchep National Park near Perth, Blowhole Beach in South Australia and the Euroka National Park in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.
Other good spots include the St Andrews Beach golf course on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula and Coomealla Golf Club near Mildura.
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