The kangaroo is a marsupial belonging to the order kangaroo, mainly distributed in mainland Australia and parts of Papua New Guinea. Some of these species are unique to Australia. Different species of kangaroos live in a wide variety of natural environments in Australia, from the cool climates of rainforests and desert plains to the tropics. Kangaroos are the highest and farthest jumping mammals.
“Kangaroo” is sometimes used to refer to all marsupials. The word comes from Guugu Yimidhirr, an Australian Aboriginal language, and was later named by Joseph Banks on James Cook’s first voyage.
