\Kan"ga*roo"\, n. [Said to be the native name.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of jumping marsupials of the
family {Macropodid[ae]}. They inhabit Australia, New Guinea,
and adjacent islands, They have long and strong hind legs and
a large tail, while the fore legs are comparatively short and
feeble. The giant kangaroo ({Macropus major}) is the largest
species, sometimes becoming twelve or fourteen feet in total
length. The tree kangaroos, belonging to the genus
{Dendrolagus}, live in trees; the rock kangaroos, of the
genus {Petrogale}, inhabit rocky situations; and the brush
kangaroos, of the genus {Halmaturus}, inhabit wooded
districts. See {Wallaby}.
{Kangaroo apple} (Bot.), the edible fruit of the Tasmanian
   plant {Solanum aviculare}.
{Kangaroo grass} (Bot.), a perennial Australian forage grass
   ({Anthistiria australis}).
{Kangaroo hare} (Zo["o]l.), the jerboa kangaroo. See under
   {Jerboa}.
{Kangaroo mouse}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Jumping mouse}, under
   {Jumping}.
{Kangaroo rat} (Zo["o]l.), the potoroo.