Archive · 24 Jan 2026
Ancient Giant Kangaroo Likely Hopped Despite Size
Scientists found that a giant kangaroo that lived in Australia a long time ago could probably hop, even though it was very big and heavy.
This kangaroo, called Protemnodon goliah, weighed up to 550 pounds, which is more than twice the weight of modern kangaroos.
Before this study, people thought that giant kangaroos couldn't jump because of their size.
But the researchers looked at the bones of this kangaroo and found that its legs were strong enough to handle jumping.
They think the giant kangaroo might have used short jumps to escape from predators or to avoid obstacles.
This kangaroo went extinct about 40,000 to 50,000 years ago.
Ancient giant kangaroo Protemnodon goliah likely could hop despite its large size.
Previous beliefs suggested giant kangaroos were too heavy to jump.
Researchers studied 94 modern kangaroos and 40 fossil specimens to determine jumping ability.
Giant kangaroos had strong metatarsals and large heel bones to support jumping.
P. goliah likely used short jumps to escape predators or avoid obstacles.
- Who
- Researchers from the University of Manchester and University of Bristol
- What
- Study on ancient giant kangaroo's ability to hop
- When
- Published in Scientific Reports, extinct 40,000 to 50,000 years ago
- Where
- Australia
- Why
- To understand the locomotion of ancient giant kangaroos
- Species
- Protemnodon goliah
- Weight
- Up to 550 pounds
- Extinction
- 40,000 to 50,000 years ago
- Study Focus
- Metatarsals and heel bones
- Researchers
- University of Manchester and University of Bristol
- Publication
- Scientific Reports
- Predators
- Extinct marsupial lion Thylacoleo
