There are almost always more kangaroos in Australia than people — the kangaroo population fluctuates between 15 and 50 million, and the number of people in Australia is around 20 million. Many farmers actually consider kangaroos to be pests, because they destroy crops, and there is a carefully controlled hunting program in place to keep the kangaroo population in check.
More facts about kangaroos:
- There are more than 60 species of kangaroo, ranging in size from 1 pound (0.5 kg) in weight to more than 200 pounds (90 kg).
- Under ideal conditions, a kangaroo population can quadruple in five years or less. Female kangaroos can actually have three babies in three different stages of development all at the same time.
- Kangaroos cannot move backward, and they also cannot move their hind legs independently, except when swimming.