Kangaroos are excellent fighters and when they feel threatened and attack a human it can end deadly. They usually don't box, they kick instead. Those kicks are extremely powerful and can kill humans.
A kangaroo would win a fight against a human being.
Do not be fooled by videos of humans successfully attacking a kangaroo. In the wild, a kangaroo will try to grasp their prey and then tear into it with the claws on its feet. This will inflict devastating wounds on a human being or even disembowel them.
In addition to their females' pouches, kangaroos are known for their “boxing” skills, and here's the reason why: Male kangaroos often fight to establish dominance or win a mate. Fights consist mostly of balancing on their tails while trying to knock their opponent off balance. Also: A bit of wrestling.
Their stance and style is quite human – akin to boxers in a ring – circling, punching, grappling. Like boxers, kangaroos spar a lot before they actually fight. These play-fights are common and often seen in the evening in spring and summer in southern Australia.
Both male and female kangaroos are large, powerful, wild animals that are capable of inflicting injury on people and they need to be treated with an appropriate level of respect and caution.
5% of road accidents involve collisions with animals, and a staggering 80% to 90% of those are with kangaroos. It's a tragic and upsetting situation to suddenly find yourself in, but for those travelling on outback roads, it's very common. Review the information below so you know what to do should you ever hit a 'roo.
In a battle royale for Most Powerful Animal, a red kangaroo might take the martial-arts belt, thanks to a bone-shattering kick that delivers 759 pounds of force. Evolution has nudged wild creatures to hone their blows, bites, and brute strength for survival.
If a kangaroo attacks, keep an eye on it and get away as quickly as possible while keeping low in a crouch, because the kangaroo is less likely to give chase. If the attack persists and you can't escape, drop down low, curl into a ball, protect your head with your arms and call for help.
They also have a punch force of about 275 pounds. Kangaroos also have powerful jaws, coming in with a bite force of up to 925 PSI – this is the same bite force as a grizzly bear!
In fact, kangaroos are stronger than humans in every aspect except their arms. In the 9 News video below you will see how one man (a boxer) learned this the hard way, when he got into an intense fight with an eastern grey kangaroo in Ballina, New South Wales.
A large kangaroo is well able to fight off several dingoes by rearing up on its tail and lashing out with its powerful hind feet. Full contact with one of these kicks can kill. However, a kangaroo has no defence against humans and their guns.
Males fight for access to females by biting, kicking, and boxing. These methods are also used by kangaroos to defend themselves against predators. With their agile arms, they can spar vigorously.
Other than humans, dogs—including large pets and dingoes—are the main predators of kangaroos. Dogs usually operate in packs to attack and kill kangaroos by running them down.
The nationwide contact is Wildlife Rescue and the number is 1300 596 457, an injured wildlife hotline. For injured wildlife in and around Canberra, contact RSPCA ACT 02 6287 8100 (during business hours), or WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Education Service) on 1300 094 737.
The few that could definitely defeat us every time are tigers, brown bears, large sharks and the very massive herbivores like elephants, water buffalo and rhinos. Which wild animals can a human being defeat in a fight with bare hands?
Just because the kangaroo is a herbivore doesn't mean it won't stand a chance against a lion in a fight. In fact, they are worthy competitors and might surprise you.
A two-footed dropkick from a grey kangaroo – which can travel 20 feet in a single hop – can break bones and even bring death to an opponent.
Ian Temby, who spent 33 years with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, said kangaroo attacks are rare, but could be fatal in some circumstances. "If you're standing up, the kangaroo can kick you with its hind feet and that can pretty much rip you open," he said. "That's extremely dangerous."
They can cause serious injury. Their sharp claws can make deep cuts, and their powerful kicks can cause severe bruising and internal injuries. But don't get me wrong, kangaroos are essentially peace-loving herbivores.
Brake Heavily, Don't Swerve
In case a kangaroo inevitably jumps in front of your vehicle, it is best to just brake heavily instead of trying to swerve to avoid them. The best advice is to just slow down and try braking in a straight line. You should only try swerving once your vehicle has slowed down sufficiently.
If the kangaroo is still alive, don't attempt to move it. Instead, call the injured wildlife hotline at 1300 596 457 or the nearest wildlife organisation you are aware of.
Is hitting a kangaroo an 'at fault' accident? No, it is not considered an at fault accident.
Rats and house cats were the easiest presumed pushovers, with two-thirds of participants claiming they could see one off, while grizzly bears, elephants and lions were rightfully respected – only 2 per cent of pollsters claimed they would be able to take one down.
People can be killed by a kangaroo kick, but it does not happen in practice. However, fights with kangaroos in rare cases lead to life-threatening injuries in humans. Without treatment, a kangaroo kick can be fatal. Occasionally, fights between kangaroos can also be fatal for one of the animals.
In fact, zebras have the most powerful kick of any animal on the planet, and they've been known to kill lions with a swift kick to the head.