A joey practising his pentepedal locomotion
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (327007)
Rockingham, Australia
January 25, 2018 8:53pm CST
Australia is big on occupational health and safety and we have more rules than you can poke a stick at (that means a lot of rules). When climbing ladders you are supposed to have three points of contact meaning both feet on the ladder and one hand hanging on or two hands hanging on and one foot. Did you know kangaroos know about three points of contact too?
When standing erect they are balanced on two hind feet and their strong tail. Mostly they move by hopping but they also use ‘pentapedal locomotion’ (there’s a new word for you) whereby they balance on their front paws and tail. They then swing the hind legs forward. If you look at the photo closely you can see the joey has both hind feet off the ground and is swinging them forward. He’ll then reach forward with his forepaws, move the tail along and repeat the action. Smart, aren’t they?
22 people like this
23 responses
@JamesHxstatic (29386)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Jan 18
I do see that action. I had no idea that they moved that way. I hope I run across a crossword with that word as a clue.
4 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
26 Jan 18
they would make great gymnasts @JudyEv
3 people like this
@JudyEv (327007)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jan 18
When the bucks decide to jump over a fence rather than going through or under, they don't even take a run at it. They don't crouch then push off; they just stand near it and seem to suddenly levitate up and over. It's pretty impressive.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (327007)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jan 18
They are cute creatures. We like seeing them around the house.
@moffittjc (118837)
• Gainesville, Florida
26 Jan 18
They do seem pretty smart! I'm convinced kangaroos are just giant overgrown rats. I mean, that's what they look like to me, with those big hairless tails of theirs! haha
What do Aussies really think of kangaroos?
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118837)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 Jan 18
@JudyEv What's your personal opinion of them? Do you like them?
They sound a lot like deer here. Many consider deer pests because they eat crops. But many think deer are cute. I think they are good for hunting. Venison (deer meat) is very tasty. Are kangaroos hunted for meat?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (327007)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jan 18
The tails have very short hair but not on the underneath. To farmers and graziers kangaroos are mostly a pest as they do a lot of damage to pastures. They also compete with cattle and sheep for water and feed. But of course tourists love them and if you're not trying to grow crops then many think they are okay.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (327007)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jan 18
@moffittjc Kangaroos are protected now but you can get a licence to shoot them if they are doing damage to crops. I think some have licences to shoot them for pet meat too. Sometimes in some areas they reach almost plague proportions. I love them but I'm not trying to grow stuff. I might think differently if I were.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (327007)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jan 18
@stapllotik I certainly like them and people who don't see them often like to read about them.
1 person likes this
@stapllotik (1933)
• India
26 Jan 18
@JudyEv you are kind of obsessed with them. Lol 
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (171419)
• United States
26 Jan 18
Yes, that is a new word for me! The US has plenty of rules too, some make sense and some are just assinine!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (171419)
• United States
26 Jan 18
@JudyEv It sounds like overkill to me!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (327007)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jan 18
@snowy22315 It is overkill. We're a really 'nanny state' at the moment. No-one wants to take responsibility for themselves so if we have lots of rules we'll be able to blame someone else if something goes wrong.
@Letranknight2015 (51556)
• Philippines
26 Jan 18
Those are really cute kangaroos. But there are other kangaroos that has huge muscles.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (51556)
• Philippines
26 Jan 18
@JudyEv Yeah, I wouldn't mess with those lol
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
26 Jan 18
I thought they were competing in gymnastics!
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
27 Jan 18
Thanks for sharing the new word and that lovely photo.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (327007)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Feb 18
They have some long limbs to try to control don't they? Not to mention the tail.
@allknowing (130292)
• India
27 Jan 18
A good English lesson here
That little guy there has a great pose. All what I can say is God given talent which they use but many humans do not use their God given talent
That little guy there has a great pose. All what I can say is God given talent which they use but many humans do not use their God given talent1 person likes this
@writereditor (32)
• Chicago, Illinois
3 Mar 18
Is that a normal type of locomotion for them or is it just the joeys that do it?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (327007)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Mar 18
If they are grazing or going a short distance, they all move this way.
