Red Kangaroo: 11 Facts About Australia's National Animal

Red kangaroo
Red kangaroo | © Dan Armbrust / Flickr
Tom Smith

People from every corner of the globe travel to Australia to meet a kangaroo — the adorable, exotic and uniquely Australian animal that hops all over this sunburnt continent. Read on for 11 things you might not have known about the red kangaroo.

The red kangaroo is the largest kangaroo species

There are four main species of kangaroo: the red kangaroo, the eastern grey kangaroo, the western grey kangaroo and the antilopine kangaroo. Red kangaroos are the biggest of the bunch, growing up to two metres in height and 90 kilogrammes in weight. Eastern greys make up the biggest chunk of Australia’s enormous kangaroo population (roughly 50 million), but red kangaroos, common across the arid inland, are the official national animal.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Female red kangaroo

They’re significant to Indigenous Australians

Australia’s First Peoples hunted kangaroos for thousands of years for both their skin and their meat, and the name itself derives from an Indigenous language. The roo plays a part in different Dreaming stories, and its social and cultural significance to Indigenous people has been a bone of contention in recent debates over kangaroo harvesting.

The kangaroo is one of the earliest symbols of Australia

The British colonists of the late 18th Century were fascinated by this exotic animal, which was first recorded as a kanguru by Botanist Joseph Banks in 1770. They were described as having the head of a deer (minus the antlers) and the hop of a frog. After illustrations captivated European audiences, they soon became a symbol of this faraway Australian continent.

Aboriginal rock art in the Kakadu National Park featuring a kangaroo

They’ve remained the country’s most iconic emblem

Over the last two centuries, the kangaroo has become an unambiguous emblem of Australia, and easily its most enduring symbol. The roo appears on the Australian Coat of Arms, the tails of Qantas planes, Tourism Australia’s logo, various insignia of the Australian Defence Force, coins, stamps… the list goes on.

Their pouch isn’t like a pocket

Female red kangaroos — which, despite their name, are actually grey in colour — protect their joeys in a pouch, a fold of skin that covers the nipples. But in the eternal words of Bart Simpson, “It’s not like in cartoons.” Kangaroo pouches aren’t some pocket attached to the mother’s stomach like the shopping basket on the front of a bike — they’re more like a small hole that babies climb into until they’re mature enough to leave.

Their teeth are replaceable

Who knew that kangaroos have so much in common with crocodiles? Like crocs, roos have rows of teeth that fall out, then are continually replaced. This process, known as polyphyodonty, is rare in mammals — elephants and manatees are the only other mammals that sit alongside kangaroos in the replaceable teeth club.

They love to fight

Both male and female red kangaroos box each other to compete for water, and male roos also fight over females. Kangaroos stand high on their hind legs then paw and kick each other, and the image of the ‘Boxing Kangaroo’ has been one of Australia’s most popular sporting symbols for decades, particularly since the historic America’s Cup sailing triumph in 1983.

Boxing kangaroos

They’re a serious traffic hazard

Almost everyone who’s driven through the outback has seen kangaroo warning signs, because roos are so common (and dangerous) on Australian roads. A 90 kilogramme kangaroo hopping at 50km/h can cause some serious damage to a car flying along the open road; ‘roo bars’ are a popular protection installed to shield vehicles. Kanga collisions are particularly common at dawn and dusk.

Australians have been told to eat more of them

It might sound like treason to eat your national emblem, but several experts have encouraged Australians to chow down on Skippy for the sake of the environment. Roos emit less methane than cows, and harvesting their out-of-control numbers helps preserve the natural ecosystem. You can try kangaroo steak, sausages and pizza if you’re up for it.

Kangaroo meat

Kangaroos have inspired dozens of place names

There’s a Kangaroo Island in South Australia (SA), Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia, a Kangaroo Flat in Victoria and SA, a Kangaroo Point in Queensland and New South Wales (NSW), and even two separate Kangaroo Rivers in NSW. Perhaps the only thing more common than kangaroos themselves are places named after them.

They’re the mascot of a Czech football club

It’s easy to understand why Australia’s national football (Socceroos) and rugby league (Kangaroos) teams are named after the country’s animal emblem. But how on earth did a Czech football team end up with a kangaroo on their shirts? Bohemians Praha 1905 use a kangaroo as their crest, following a 1927 tour of Australia, when they were awarded two roos they donated to the Prague Zoo.

Bohemians Praha stadium
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article