Why do kangaroos hop instead of walking on all fours?

Kangaroos are built differently from most mammals: their powerful hind legs do most of the work, while the tail acts like a counterbalance and support. Hopping stores and releases energy in their tendons, so it can be more efficient than walking at moderate to high speeds. This adaptation suits the open landscapes of Australia, where covering long distances between food and water is important. Smaller kangaroos and wallabies can also move in other ways, but hopping is the signature locomotion of the group. Their movement is a remarkable example of how anatomy and habitat shape behavior.