Are red kangaroos endangered because they get hit by cars?

Answer 1

Red kangaroos are not endangered. However, they do often get hit by cars.

Like all of Austalia's native fauna, red kangaroos are at greatest risk from habitat loss. Red kangaroos' biome typically consists of grasslands, and of the natural grasslands in Australia, less than 4% of the original still remain. However, red kangaroos also live in the bush, or open woodlands, of Australia. Whilst some of these areas have been taken up by agriculture, more of it is utilised by sheep and cattle, and the kangaroos still inhabit this area. Kangaroo populations have enjoyed a resurgence since protective measures have been put in place to limit tree clearing and development. They have adapted very well to their habitat being taken over by farmland, as this ensures a ready water source, and plenty of food. Because their numbers can be quite prolific, they are one of the kangaroo species which are harvested in the wild for their meat.

Answer 2

The biggest problem with kangaroos is that they often feed beside roadways, where the grass collects the dew (a result of condensation), and where the grass is therefore succulent and green. Kangaroos most commonly feed in the early morning and at dusk, two times of day when visibility is lower and drivers tend to not be on the lookout, they can easily hop into the path of oncoming cars, which of course cannot veer in time to avoid them. It is also extremely dangerous to try to swerve a car that may be doing up to 110kph, in order to avoid hitting a 'roo.

Kangaroos are also often hit at night because this is when they are roaming between feeding grounds. More often than not, they can be blinded by the lights of an oncoming vehicle, and freeze in the middle of the road. Unfortunately, they are not known for their intelligence, so they do not think to stop at the side of the road and wait if they see headlights.