How do red kangaroos defend themelves?

Answer 1

Red kangaroos are the largest of the kangaroo species, and easily able to defend themselves. An adult red kangaroo has a large, powerful tail and hind legs, both of which help it to defend itself. It can lean back, balance on its strong tail, and kick out, using the large claws on its hind legs to defend itself. It can deliver quite a mighty kick which can kill an enemy such as a dingo.

Kangaroos have also been observed actually using their forepaws to grasp dogs that have chased them near dams, and trying to hold them under the water. Men who have gone to the rescue of their hunting dogs have been attacked, clawed and scratched. The forepaws are surprisingly strong, and their forearms can be quite muscular.

When it comes to defending itself from man, the kangaroo's primary recourse is to hop away. A kangaroo can maintain a steady speed over very long distances, easily outrunning other predators. A comfortable hopping speed for red kangaroos is 19 kilometres per hour (12 miles per hour), and they can maintain this speed for hours, stopping for brief rests. They can have short bursts of speed of between 55 and 70 kph (35-44mph).

Kangaroos can also escape danger by jumping high and long. In full flight, a single jump can be up to 8 metres (29 feet) long, and 1.8m (6 feet) in height.