In several countries, including Australia, there is a group of marsupials known as kangaroos. These kangaroos are surprisingly popular, because their unique legs and pouches separate them from normal mammals. Not only are their bodies built differently, but kangaroos are very rare to see as they are only found near Australia. Whether it's body size, reproduction, nutrition, habitat or industrial threats, kangaroos and wallabies are very interesting animals. The word kangaroo stands for large species and the word wallaby stands for small species (Blashfield par. 1). Kangaroos, pouched mammals or marsupials, are included in the macropod species, which means "big foot" (Blashfield par. 1). Curiously, there are a total of forty-five species of kangaroos and wallabies (“Kangaroo and” par. 3). A distinctive feature of the kangaroo is its hind legs (Laugh 39). This is because they are much larger than the forelimbs (Laughs 39). The hind legs are larger than the kangaroo's forelimbs and have large hind feet with long tails used to maintain the kangaroo's balance (“Kangaroo e” par. 1). Instead of walking or running, kangaroos jump (“Nutrition” par. 5). As they jump faster, their jumps become higher and longer (“Nutrition,” par. 5). Kangaroo leaps can be up to six feet high and thirty feet long (Blashfield par. 5). Without the hind legs this would not be possible because the tendons store the energy for jumping (Blashfield par. 5). Although it appears to have four toes, there is a small fifth toe on the outside of the main toe (Turn 39). Inside the kangaroo's foot are two toes joined together (Turn 39). These are called syndactyl fingers; also, these toes are used as a comb or grooming tool (Rid...... middle of paper ...... right now we are wondering what the ratio is between kangaroos killed and the total kangaroo population (Laughs 40.) The shipment of live kangaroos is strictly prohibited, except in cases such as trade or shipment between zoos ("Kangaroo" Australian par. 16 If kangaroo meat is exported without the knowledge of the government, the person or the people could be fined up to $250,000). tourists visiting Australia or nearby islands. There are many rules and laws for kangaroos to protect them from overhunting and, subsequently, danger. Kangaroos would not be so popular among animals if it were not for their body size, reproduction, nutrition, habitat or industrial threats..