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There is fact and fiction behind the adoption of the name "kangaroo".
Fiction: Early European explorers were intrigued by the variety of unusual wildlife they saw. The story goes that one of them reportedly asked the indigenous people (Aborigines) what the hopping creature was called. The native replied 'kangaru' which in his language meant 'I don't know' or 'I don't understand'. The explorer did not realise that the Aborigine had not understood what he was asking and the name has been kept. This story has become an Australian legend.
Other fiction behind the origin of the name include variations of the above. Explorers are said to have mistaken the aboriginal word for go that way (Kangaroo) when an aborigine pointed in a direction that a kangaroo happened to be. Another story says that when explorers asked the indigenous people what the first kangaroo they saw was, pointing at it, The natives replied "Kangaroo!" meaning "That's your index finger!"
Fact: However, these stories are only myths.
According to the Oceaniaweb factfile and other reliable sources, the word "kangaroo" is believed to have come from the Aboriginal word gangurru, a Guugu Yimidhirr word referring to the Grey Kangaroo. Captain James Cook's botanist, Sir Joseph Banks, first recorded the word as "kangaru" when the Endeavour was damaged on the Great Barrier Reef near modern-day Cooktown, and required the crew to stay on the mainland for almost 7 weeks repairing their ship. This gave Banks ample time to make copious notes on the fauna and flora, and to be certain of the Aboriginal word for kangaroo, even though he had trouble translating it into written form.
It could be that "Kangaroo" is the name of a specific type of kangaroo in one Australian aboriginal language. Europeans applied the name to all similar creatures.
Daryl Collins
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What is the name given to all baby kangaroos?
All baby kangaroos are called joeys. This is the name given to the young of all marsupials, not just kangaroos.
What is another name for kangaroos and koalas?
Kangaroos and koalas are both marsupials.
What is another name for young kangaroos?
Young kangaroos are called joeys.
What is the name of the kangaroos mascot?
the mascots name is boomber
What is the name given to hill kangaroos?
These kangaroos are more commonly known as Common Wallaroos or Euros. Their scientific name is Macropus robustus.
What is the name for a group of monkeys or kangaroos?
A group of kangaroos is called a mob. A group of monkeys is a troop
Is there any dangers too kangaroos?
sometimes a kangaroo gets killed by humans for food but rarely
How are bettongs and wallabies related?
Bettongs and wallabies are both members of the kangaroo family, or macropods. They are related to other kangaroos, such as Red Kangaroos, Grey Kangaroos, Pademelons, Tree Kangaroos, Quokkas and Euros (Wallaroos), to name a few.
What is the name of all the kangaroo together?
Kangaroos belong to the group of mammals known as marsupials. Kangaroos, specifically, are known as the macropods.
Does a kangaroo die if it gets wet?
Like people, kangaroos can get sick if they get wet and cold, but it not always the case.
What is the more common name 4 macropods?
The more common name for macropods is Kangaroos and Wallabies. Macropods is more of a 'banister name'. There are many subtitles underneath it. Kangaroos and Wallabies are in the same family, but do have differences.
What is a juvenile kangaroos name?
A juvenile kangaroo is called a Joey.
