Kangaroo

Kangaroos are marsupials from the family Macropodidae (macropods, meaning "large foot"). In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus: the red kangaroo, antilopine kangaroo, eastern grey kangaroo, and western grey kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to Australia. The smaller macropods are found in Australia and New Guinea. The word "kangaroo" derives from the Guugu Yimithirr word gangurru, referring to grey kangaroos.
Kangaroos have large, powerful hind legs, large feet adapted for leaping, a long muscular tail for balance, and a small head. Like most marsupials, female kangaroos have a pouch called a marsupium in which joeys complete postnatal development.
Most kangaroos live in open plains, woodlands, or grasslands. The red kangaroo is the largest extant marsupial. It is found across mainland Australia, except for the more fertile areas in the south, southwest, and east.

The first recorded encounter between a European and a kangaroo was in 1629, when Captain Charles Sturt and his men saw them while travelling through the Darling Downs in Queensland. The animals were described in some detail by Watkin Tench in 1788, who noted their unusual hopping gait.
Kangaroos were hunted by Aboriginal Australians for their meat and fur. They were also used as a source of leather for clothing and other items. The first kangaroo hunting season was declared in New South Wales in 1789.
Since then, kangaroo hunting has been a controversial issue in Australia. The kangaroo is a protected species in some parts of the country, but not in others. The debate over whether or not to hunt kangaroos continues today.