Why do kangaroos hop?
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Transcript
Why do kangaroos hop instead of walk like us?
A kangaroo has very big back legs and strong feet. Those legs push it up and forward in one big hop.
Its long, strong tail helps it balance as it hops. The tail keeps its body from tipping over.
Hopping helps a kangaroo travel far across wide land. Its springy legs save energy when it moves fast.
So that's why kangaroos hop! Their powerful legs and balancing tails help them move far and fast.
For grown-ups: the science
Kangaroos hop because their big back legs and long tails help them move far and fast.
Kangaroos are adapted for saltatory locomotion: elongated hind limbs, large elastic tendons, and strong muscles store and return energy during hopping. Their tail helps with balance and can also contribute to movement at slow speeds.