Kangaroos

  A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family macropodidae. Kangaroos are common to the country of Australia. Kangaroos have large powerful hind legs, large feet adapted for kicking, a long muscular tale for balance, and a small head. Female kangaroos have a pouch called a marsupium in which joeys complete after birth development. Larger kangaroos have adapted better to changes brought to the Australian landscape by humans. Wild kangaroos are shot for meat, leather hides, sports, and to protect grazing land for sheep and cattle. The kangaroo is the national symbol of Australia. Its emblem is used on the Australian coat of arms. The kangaroo is both important to Australian culture and the national image and consequently there are numerous popular culture references. The name was first recorded as "Kangooroo or Kanguru" on 4 August 1770, by Lieutenant  James Cook on the banks of the Endeavour River at the site of modern Cooktown, when HM Bark Endeavour was beached for almost seven weeks to repair damage sustained on the Great Barrier Reef Guugu Yimithirr is the language of the people of the area.