• The western grey kangaroo is nicknamed the "stinker" because of the males' awful odor.
• Red kangaroos can run 40 miles per hour and leap 42 feet with each jump.
• Kangaroos can only jump if their tails are touching the ground.

A kangaroo is born about the size of a honeybee, and blind as a bat. The tiny newborn climbs through its mother's fur to her pouch. It hangs out there-drinking milk and growing-for about five months, until it can stick its head out to look around. A doe carries her joey everywhere, and the joey depends on its mother for everything-food, warmth, shelter, and transportation.

By the time the baby roo is nine months old, it can leave the pouch to explore the outside world and begin to learn survival skills, like eating grass, by watching its mother. If a doe senses danger while her joey is out of the pouch, she thumps her foot in warning, and the joey dives headfirst into the pouch. The mother then seals it off with her pouch muscles.

The joey continues to come home to its mother's pouch for food and comfort for another few months, until it grows too big. By this time, it's an expert at grazing (eating grass) and digging holes to find water, and a little brother or sister has moved into the pouch.

FAMILY TIES
Joeys develop strong bonds with their kangaroo mothers. They spend the first months of their lives completely dependent on their mothers for food, warmth, shelter, and transportation. Human children depend on their parents for those same things and more. We rely on our parents for help with our homework, and rides to dance rehearsals and soccer practice. Judaism recognizes this, and gives clear instructions about how children should show their parents appreciation. It’s a mitzvah to “honor your father and mother” (Shemot 20:12) and to express thanks for all that they do.