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Australia is home to many unique animals, some of which are easily recognizable worldwide. Interestingly, two of these Australian animals, kangaroos and emus, are incapable of walking backward. This unusual inability to move in reverse has earned them a symbolic place on the country's coat of arms, representing Australia's determination to always move forward and never backward. While kangaroos are well-known for their distinctive hopping gait, their large feet and muscular tails prevent them from going in reverse. Emus, on the other hand, are flightless birds similar to ostriches but shorter, and while they are excellent sprinters and long-distance runners, they are unable to walk backward, though the exact reason is not known.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Australian animal that cannot walk backwards | Emus and Kangaroos |
| Reason for Emus | Unknown, but could be due to knee joints |
| Reason for Kangaroos | Their movement is hopping, which is called saltation, and they also have a thick, long, muscular tail that acts as a third leg |
| Symbolism | Emus and Kangaroos are included on the Australian coat of arms to symbolize the country's resolve to only move forward |
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What You'll Learn
Why can't kangaroos walk backwards?
Kangaroos are large, hopping mammals native to Australia. They carry their young in pouches and are well-known for their unique mode of transportation. While kangaroos are impressive jumpers, they are unable to walk backwards. So, why is this the case?
Firstly, it's important to note that kangaroos don't typically walk at all. Their primary form of movement is hopping, which is called saltation or saltatory locomotion. During saltation, kangaroos push off with their large feet simultaneously and use their tails for balance. This combination of muscular legs and a long, thick tail enables kangaroos to jump great distances but also prevents them from moving backwards.
The physical structure of a kangaroo's legs and feet is designed for forward motion. Their feet are big and muscular, making it challenging to move in reverse. Additionally, their long, muscular tail, which often acts as a third leg, further hinders backward movement. The tail is not very flexible, and its weight and position make it challenging for kangaroos to shift their balance in the opposite direction.
While kangaroos are exceptional jumpers and can move sideways with agility, their physical attributes and natural mode of transportation make it challenging for them to walk or hop backwards. In fact, their inability to move backwards has become a symbol of Australia's resolve to only move forward, as depicted on the country's coat of arms.
Interestingly, emus, another Australian bird species, also cannot walk backward. Similar to kangaroos, emus have become symbolic of Australia's forward momentum and are featured on the country's coat of arms.
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Why emus can't walk backwards
Emus are large, flightless birds native to Australia. They are similar in appearance to ostriches but are around 10 inches shorter. Emus are the only bird species with calf muscles, which enable them to sprint and run long distances.
Unlike ostriches, emus cannot walk backward. The reason for this is not entirely clear, but some sources suggest that it may be due to their knee joints. The Australian authorities included emus on the country's coat of arms, along with kangaroos, to symbolize the nation's resolve to always move forward and never backward.
While most animals can walk in all directions, backward walking is not common. This skill can help animals escape danger and protect themselves when they feel threatened. However, emus do not appear to have this ability and can only move forward.
Emus are not the only animals that struggle to walk backward. Kangaroos, which are also native to Australia, are another example. Their method of locomotion, called saltation, involves hopping with both large feet simultaneously and using their tails for balance. Their muscular legs, big feet, and inflexible tails are well-adapted for forward movement but prevent them from going in reverse.
Despite their inability to walk backward, emus and kangaroos have still thrived in their natural habitats. Their survival suggests that backward walking may not be as crucial for these species compared to others.
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The Australian coat of arms
The coat of arms was first authorised by King Edward VII on 7 May 1908, and the current version was authorised by King George V on 19 September 1912. The 1908 version continued to be used in some contexts, such as on the reverse of the sixpenny coin. The escutcheon (central shield) is the focal point of the coat of arms, and each of its six quarters contains a representation of the badge of an Australian state.
The kangaroo and emu were chosen as they are endemic to Australia and are well-known native animals. They also symbolise progress and the nation moving forward, as neither animal can easily walk backwards. The red kangaroo, in particular, has been interpreted as male and must be depicted as such.
The coat of arms has undergone redesigns and spurred debate in Parliament, with some criticising the inclusion of the Cross of Saint George and calling for the inclusion of Scottish and Irish symbols or the exclusive use of Australian symbology. The Scottish Patriotic Association was vocally opposed to the shield's design, and their criticism was addressed with the addition of the ermine border, a feature of Scottish heraldry.
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How kangaroos move
The kangaroo is a unique and iconic marsupial native to Australia, and its mode of movement is quite distinct and fascinating. These large mammals cannot move backwards, and their locomotion is a combination of hopping, balancing, and using their tails for support and leverage.
When moving at slow speeds or manoeuvring in tight spaces, kangaroos exhibit a bipedal gait, walking on their hind legs and using their strong tails for balance. They bend their legs and swing their tails under their bodies to push off from the ground, taking short hops or steps. This method of movement allows them to carefully navigate through bushes and narrow spaces.
However, when a kangaroo wants to move faster, it switches to its famous hopping gait. This is a form of serial leaping, where the kangaroo uses its powerful hind legs to propel itself forward in a series of long jumps. The tail plays a crucial role in this mode of locomotion, acting as a third limb and a balancing pole. The kangaroo pushes off from the ground with its hind legs, extending its body forward and using its tail to maintain balance and adjust its posture mid-air.
The hopping gait is an energy-efficient way for kangaroos to cover large distances at speed. They can reach remarkable speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour and can cover up to 8-9 metres in a single leap. This form of movement is made possible by the unique anatomy of kangaroos, including their strong and flexible hind legs, large feet, and long, muscular tails.
Young kangaroos, or joeys, begin to learn how to move around in the safety of their mother's pouch. They first develop the ability to climb into and out of the pouch, using their front legs and mouth to pull themselves along. As they grow stronger, they start to venture out, hopping and bouncing playfully around their mother. Over time, they refine their hopping skills and develop the balance and coordination necessary for efficient locomotion.
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How emus move
Emus are large, flightless birds that are native to Australia. They are the second-largest living bird species, reaching up to 190 cm in height and weighing up to 55 kg. Emus have long necks and legs, but their wings are tiny, measuring less than 20 cm. They are known for their fast sprinting and long-distance running capabilities, with a top speed of 50 kph and a stride of 3 metres.
Emus are unique among birds in possessing calf muscles, and their powerful legs enable them to cover vast distances. They are found in various habitats across Australia, including savannah woodlands and sclerophyll forests, and they predominantly travel in pairs. Emus have been observed to migrate long distances in search of abundant food sources. For example, in Western Australia, they move north in summer and south in winter, following the rain to find fresh shoots.
Emus are omnivores, consuming a variety of plant and animal matter. They eat fruits, seeds, flowers, shoots, insects, snails, small animals, and even animal droppings. They are known to feed on wheat and other crops, which can lead to conflicts with farmers. Emus play an important role in seed dispersal, contributing to floral biodiversity. However, they have also unintentionally spread invasive species, such as the prickly pear cactus in Queensland.
Emus are known for their paternal care. After the female lays 5 to 15 eggs, the male incubates them for 55 days without eating, drinking, or leaving the nest. During this time, he can lose up to 8 kg in weight. Even after the chicks hatch, the male stays with them for two years, defending and teaching them how to find food.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three Australian animals that cannot walk backward: kangaroos, emus, and the koala.
Kangaroos don't walk, they hop in a movement called saltation. They also crawl using their front paws to glide. Their long, thick, and muscular tails, big feet, and forward-moving design prevent them from moving backward. However, kangaroos can move slightly backward during a fight to avoid injury.
Emus are flightless birds that can sprint and run long distances. It is unclear why they cannot walk backward, but their knee joints may be the reason.
Kangaroos and emus were included on the Australian coat of arms to symbolize the country's resolve to only move forward and never backward.
