JOURNAL ARTICLE

Hulking kangaroo ancestors could hop just like their nimble descendants: Fossils reveal these ancient footbones were robust enough to withstand the impacts of leaping locomotion.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2026. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Steiner, Claudia 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the findings from an analysis of fossilized foot bones of ancient marsupials, suggesting that these giant ancestors of modern kangaroos and wallabies were capable of hopping despite their significant weight, which could reach up to 250 kilograms. Researchers compared the robust foot bones of these ancient species, which lived between 11,700 and 2.58 million years ago in Australia, to those of contemporary kangaroos, concluding that even the weakest bones could withstand the impacts of hopping. While the study indicates that these prehistoric animals could hop, it also suggests they likely used a variety of gaits depending on their environment, rather than hopping as their primary mode of locomotion. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2026/01, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Zoology
  • Publication Date:2026
  • Accession Number:191107736
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