Why do kangaroos hop?

1. 1

   Lue says

   A kangaroo has big, strong back legs and short front legs. Remember how a cat's tail helps it land steady? A kangaroo's big tail helps it balance too. To get going, it pushes off with both back legs together and bounces along. Its body is made for hopping!

   For ages 4–7
   Hear Lue

   Checked against Red kangaroo (Denver Zoo)

2. 2

   Why is hopping so good for a kangaroo?

   At the back of each ankle, a kangaroo has a strong, stretchy band called a tendon. When it lands, the tendon stretches and stores up energy, like a spring being squashed. Then it springs back and helps push the kangaroo into its next hop. So every landing gives some bounce back.

   For ages 6–9
   Hear Lue

   Checked against Kangaroos fix their posture to save energy at high hopping speeds (eLife)

3. 3

   Then why doesn't hopping faster take more work?

   When a kangaroo speeds up, it crouches lower at its ankles. That stretches its tendons even more, so they store more energy and give more back. The extra spring makes up for the harder push. So a fast-hopping kangaroo uses about as much energy as a slow one.

   For ages 8–11
   Hear Lue

   Checked against Kangaroos fix their posture to save energy at high hopping speeds (eLife)

In Lil' Phil, reaching the bottom of this wonder earns a sticker for Lue's collection.

• 

  How do cats land on their feet?

  Ages 4–10Lue
• 

  Why do zebras have stripes?

  Ages 4–9Lue