The Surprising Hopping Abilities of Giant Kangaroos in the Past
The image of kangaroos hopping their way across the Australian outback is iconic – and it turns out it might have been an even more impressive sight during the Pleistocene.
A recent study conducted by researchers from the Universities of Manchester and Bristol in the UK, as well as the University of Melbourne in Australia, has revealed that giant kangaroos, which were estimated to be more than twice as heavy as their modern counterparts, could also hop if necessary.
Just like many other parts of the world, Australian animals were significantly larger in the past. The largest known kangaroo species, Procoptodon goliah, was believed to have stood at a towering 2 meters (6.6 feet) tall and weighed up to a whopping 250 kilograms (550 pounds) – making today’s kangaroos seem relatively small in comparison.
Despite their extra bulk, it was previously assumed that these creatures would not have been able to hop due to the risk of injuring their Achilles tendons. However, a new anatomical study suggests otherwise.
By analyzing the limb bones of 63 kangaroo and wallaby species, both living and extinct, including 94 modern specimens and 40 fossils, researchers were able to determine that the giant kangaroos possessed the necessary anatomical features to support hopping.
The researchers found that the ancient kangaroo species had the appropriate tendon attachments on their heel bones and strong metatarsals, indicating that they were capable of hopping, albeit likely in short bursts.
While these prehistoric giants may not have relied on hopping as their primary mode of locomotion, they likely utilized it for quick bursts of speed, such as when traversing rough terrain or evading predators.
This groundbreaking study sheds new light on the locomotor capabilities of giant kangaroos in the past and highlights the fascinating adaptations that allowed them to thrive in their environment.
The findings of this study were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
