Ancient Giant Kangaroos Were Too Big To Hop
- 10 years ago
Ancient ancestors of kangaroo species in Australia that lived over 30-thousand-years ago were around three times bigger than the largest species that exist today.
Kangaroos are known for their ability to hop around on two legs. Grey kangaroos are the fastest, hopping at speeds of over 43 miles per hour.
The ancient ancestors of kangaroos that lived in Australia over 30-thousand-years ago were around three times bigger than the largest species existing today.
According to a study by researchers at Brown University and the Universidad de Málaga in Spain, these large animals were probably too big to hop around like modern kangaroos do.
Researchers came to this conclusion after studying the remains of 45 separate kangaroo species including the extinct giant kangaroo.
The bone structure traits indicated to experts that the giant kangaroo was most likely incapable of hopping.
They still stood upright, and measured about ten feet tall while weighing over an estimated five hundred pounds.
Physical differences between kangaroo species affect how they move around, and the giant kangaroos are missing some of the keys features necessary for agile hopping.
Giant kangaroos had proportionally bigger hips and knees, and a more rigid spine than those found in modern kangaroos, which enabled them to walk upright.
Kangaroos are known for their ability to hop around on two legs. Grey kangaroos are the fastest, hopping at speeds of over 43 miles per hour.
The ancient ancestors of kangaroos that lived in Australia over 30-thousand-years ago were around three times bigger than the largest species existing today.
According to a study by researchers at Brown University and the Universidad de Málaga in Spain, these large animals were probably too big to hop around like modern kangaroos do.
Researchers came to this conclusion after studying the remains of 45 separate kangaroo species including the extinct giant kangaroo.
The bone structure traits indicated to experts that the giant kangaroo was most likely incapable of hopping.
They still stood upright, and measured about ten feet tall while weighing over an estimated five hundred pounds.
Physical differences between kangaroo species affect how they move around, and the giant kangaroos are missing some of the keys features necessary for agile hopping.
Giant kangaroos had proportionally bigger hips and knees, and a more rigid spine than those found in modern kangaroos, which enabled them to walk upright.