Kangaroos can communicate either vocally or by stomping. Female kangaroos speak to their joeys by clucking or clicking. When male kangaroos encounter another male it will make a grumbling sound for obedience or produce a growling sound when they feel threatened.
Kangaroos are not very afraid of predators, except for people and dingoes. Wild dogs are native to southeast Asia and commonly found in Australia. As a defense mechanism, a larger kangaroo will usually push its pursuer into the water, standing submerged to the chest and attempting to drown the aggressor.
Grey Kangaroos signal danger by stamping the ground with their powerful hind legs so that other members of the mob can both hear the warning sound and feel the vibrations of the motion. Like other species of mammal, Kangaroos are also likely to use chemicals to communicate.
Large alpha male kangaroos often defend their territory aggressively and make the coughing growl calls when they are tussling with a rival male. Western Grey Kangaroo at sunset in Wyperfeld National Park, Victoria.
Kangaroos hiss and growl when alarmed, females make clicking noises to communicate with their offspring, and males 'chuckle' during courtship! Kangaroos are most active between dusk and dawn, as they search for their favourite foods: grass, as well as leaves, ferns, flowers, fruit and moss.
Kangaroos attack humans when they feel threatened or when they expect food from humans. However, kangaroos are shy animals that in most cases flee when threatened. Only in rare cases do kangaroos start an attack. However, kangaroos often feel threatened by dogs.
A kangaroo will attack a person as if they were another kangaroo. It may push or grapple with its forepaws or sit back and kick out with its hind legs. As resulting injuries can be serious, avoiding conflict with kangaroos is vital.
A group of academics from the United Kingdom and Australia have discovered that kangaroos can communicate with humans in the same way pets do. The roos use their gaze to ask for help finding food.
Drive more cautiously at dusk and dawn. If you've seen one kangaroo, there are likely to be more, so slow down and keep an eye out. Turn off your high beams if you see kangaroos, so you don't startle them.
It may shake its head, or twitch its ears. It will look around, and you can see the fear and anxiety in its eyes. Quickly stop and retreat a couple of metres in this situation. The kangaroo will usually settle down again.
These visits to the wild environment allow observation of kangaroo emotional markers of stress and relaxation. These animals are extremely wary of humans and will not approach anyone except the carer who has exhibited the characteristics of a 'being-for' ethic toward them.
Dogs usually operate in packs to attack and kill kangaroos by running them down. Kangaroos avoid attacks by maintaining vigilance, giving warning foot-thumps and fleeing to safety. Large male kangaroos are less likely to flee and may use their size and weapons to defend themselves against any dog that comes too close.
The most common threats to Kangaroos are due to human activities, including hunting, and conflict with vehicles. Other threats are environmental changes, climate change, similar to the threats against most wildlife!
Kangaroos face few natural predators, aside from humans and wild dogs called dingoes. Heat, drought, and hunger due to vanishing habitat are among the largest threats to kangaroos.
Drop your speed and stay alert if you're driving in unfamiliar territory or areas that are likely home to kangaroos – particularly at dawn and dusk. It could save a collision or even your life. “If you come across a kangaroo, brake in a controlled manner to avoid a collision if possible.
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.
If the animal has been injured during a road collision, keep yourself safe and ensure you are not in danger of being hit by traffic.” If able to do so safely, check if the roo is alive; if it is dead, then check its pouch. Call the relevant wildlife rescue service or police.
(i) A shooter using a rifle must aim so as to hit the target kangaroo or wallaby in the brain (see Schedule 2). (ii) A shooter using a shotgun must aim so that, whether the target kangaroo or wallaby is stationary or mobile, it will be hit in the head or chest by the centre of the shot pattern.
Wallaby Deterrents
Plant a living fence of gum trees around your property, as both kangaroos and wallabies seem to dislike the aroma. Several products exist that are marked to deter wallaby. An easy recipe to try is five eggs mixed with water and acrylic paint. Spray the mixture around the vegetable plot.