Cuteness(and smartness) OD alert!
If you think all that kangaroos are good at is hopping and being pretty, we have news for you! A recent study involving 11 captive Kangaroos showed that these hoppers are able to intentionally communicate with us! Do we have your interest? Keep reading.
The study published in the journal Biology Letters was carried out by scientists from the University of Sydney and the University of Roehampton.
Why is this a special moment?
Kangaroos, as cute and common as they are in Australia, have never been domesticated(i.e. they’ve never been kept as pets). It was earlier thought that cognitive functioning was specific to domesticated animals like dogs, cats, horses and goats. These domesticated friends can communicate with us through gestures and sounds. This study proved that domestication might be not important for animals to be intelligent enough to communicate with us!
How was the study carried out?
11 captive(but not domesticated) kangaroos were given an “unsolvable problem”, a box of delicious food that they couldn’t open. Next you know, 9 of the 11 jumpers were gazing back and forth at the researches and the food, as if asking them, “mind lending a hand?”. Some of them came close to the researches and started scratching their knees for attention. How pet-like! Even the skittish species acted like this, surprising the researchers who were in awe.
What does this mean for us?
Humans have always thought that communicating with us was a domesticated-animal thing. Because these kangaroos were in a zoo environment, undomesticated but often watching humans, this study explains that kangaroos might be more intelligent than previously thought.
What does this mean for the Kangaroos?
Kangaroos, very sadly, are almost equated with pests in Australia. They’re highly misunderstood animals. This study has brought us a step closer to understanding, appreciating and loving them. When understood properly, Kangaroos will be respected for their communication skills(among other things) and treasured for being who they are.
Have you ever met a Kangaroo? Tell us below!
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