Giant Ice Age Kangaroos Capable of Hopping in Short Bursts, Study Reveals

Ancient giant kangaroos may have hopped in short bursts to evade predators, challenging long-held assumptions about their movement. A study analyzing 94 modern and 40 fossil kangaroo specimens across 63 species revealed that extinct giants like Protemnodon—which could weigh up to 250 kg—possessed biomechanical traits enabling brief hopping motions.

Researchers focused on the fourth metatarsal bone strength and heel bone size, finding these structures could withstand the forces required for short, explosive hops.

While hopping was possible, the study clarifies this was not their primary locomotion method. Instead, the movement likely served as an emergency response to predators such as Thylacoleo lions. Megan E. Jones said:

"Biomechanical limits of hopping in the hindlimbs of giant extinct kangaroos"

Published in Scientific Reports (DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-29939-7), the findings reshape understanding of Ice Age megafauna behavior. The evolutionary trade-off between size and agility in these species highlights how ecological pressures shaped their survival strategies.

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