Kangaroo, any of six large species of Australian marsupials noted for hopping and bouncing on their hind legs. Kangaroos belong to the animal family Macropodidae, which literally means ‘big foot.’ Thanks to their large feet and powerful hind legs, kangaroos can travel more than 56 km/h and leap more than 9 m in a single bound. Kangaroos are found in Eastern Australia, where they live in small groups called troops or herds. A kangaroo can reach heights from anywhere between 3- 8 feet (1 to 3 meters) and can weigh between 40 and 200 lbs (18-100 kg).