Why do kangaroos hop instead of walk?
For grown-ups: the science
It has long back legs and a strong tail, so hopping lets it zoom far away without getting tired.
Kangaroos rely on long hind legs and large tendons, including the Achilles tendon, which store springy energy from one hop and release it into the next. At high speeds, hopping actually uses less energy than four-legged walking would. The thick tail helps balance the body mid-hop, and at slower speeds it even acts like a extra leg to help support the kangaroo's weight.
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Transcript
Look at that kangaroo bouncing across the grass. Why does it hop instead of just walking?
A kangaroo's back legs are super long and strong. When it pushes off the ground, its whole body leaps way forward.
Its thick tail helps hold its body steady while it hops through the air. Long legs plus a strong tail mean it barely wobbles at all.
When it goes fast, hopping again and again is an easy way to move. Stretchy parts inside its legs help power up the very next hop.
Kangaroos hop using their long legs and thick tail. It's a hopping style that carries them far without much effort.