Human vs Kangaroo: Who Would Win in a Fight? (2024)

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Boxing matches between a human vs kangaroo are the stuff of legends in Australia and beyond. Sure, they were featured in cartoons, and stories of people engaging in these matches for entertainment or to save their pets have become popular in recent years. Nevertheless, it’s important to tell you right now that it’s not wise to try fighting any wild animal. After all, kangaroo boxing is a form of fighting behavior that can quickly turn fatal, even just between two animals.

What would happen if a human was foolish enough to take on a kangaroo? Would the mammal or the marsupial live if the human did not bring any weapons or tools to the fight? We’ll break it down for you, but just for the sake of clarity, do not try to box a kangaroo.

Comparing a Human and a Kangaroo

Human vs Kangaroo: Who Would Win in a Fight? (1)
HumanKangaroo
SizeWeight: 150-200lbs
Height: 5.77ft (5ft 9in)
Weight: 100lbs-200lbs
Height: 4.9ft-6.6ft tall
Speed and Movement Type– 6-8 mph when running
– Top speeds of 12-27mph
– 12 mph while hopping regularly
– 35-44 mph maximum speed
Defenses– Intelligence to avoid dangerous situations
– Endurance
– Ability to recognize ways to seek shelter and safety
– Size compared to some animals
– Size will scare off some predators
– Speed allows them to escape
– Can lead animals to advantageous areas
– Thick skin on stomachs to protect against attacks
Offensive Capabilities– Can punch, strike, kick, and grapple
– Relatively weak bite power and small teeth
– Without tools, humans are limited in their offensive abilities
– Uses forelegs to grasp or strike enemies
– Has claws on their forelegs
– Uses the longest of the three claws on their hind legs to severely cut or disembowel enemies.
Predatory Behavior– Cursorial predators that pursue and weaken prey with the aid of tools
– Can trap and capture some prey
– Kangaroos are herbivorous, so they lack predatory instincts
– They will still fight back when cornered by prey

What Are Key Differences Between a Human and a Kangaroo?

Human vs Kangaroo: Who Would Win in a Fight? (2)

The key differences between humans and kangaroos include their morphology and intelligence. Human beings are highly intelligent bipedal mammals that walk as their primary form of locomotion and stand about 5.77ft tall and weigh upwards of 200lbs on average. However, kangaroos are bipedal marsupials with long tails that weigh up to 200lbs and stand 6.6ft tall, and hop as their primary form of locomotion.

These differences aren’t profound, but they help us understand what advantages one creature has over the other. We need to look closer at these animals and examine the factors that would decide the fight.

What Are the Key Factors in a Fight Between a Human and a Kangaroo?

Human vs Kangaroo: Who Would Win in a Fight? (6)

Since humans will not go into the fight armed, we need to look at matters beyond intelligence and tool use. This will be a battle between animals, so we must examine the size, speed, defenses, and other data to figure out which animal will win.

Human vs Kangaroo: Size

The average human and the average kangaroo are very similar in size. The overlap between these animals makes it hard to give either creature the advantage over the other. After all, the average human is between 5.2ft and 5.7ft tall and weighs between 150lbs and 200lbs. Of course, much larger humans exist.

Kangaroos can reach 200lbs and over 6ft in height, sizes that humans can attain, too.

We’re calling the size comparison a tie between humans and kangaroos.

Human vs Kangaroo: Speed and Movement

Kangaroos are much faster than human beings. The top speed of the average human being is between 12 mph and 20mph. However, the utmost human speed is 27 mph, a speed that one particular human couldn’t hold for more than a few seconds.

Kangaroos can move at 12 mph comfortably and reach speeds of 35-44 mph when trying to hurry.

Kangaroos have the speed advantage in this fight.

Human vs Kangaroo: Defenses

Humans have a hodge-podge of defenses outside of their intellectual endeavors. Without tools, humans rely on intelligence to avoid situations, endurance to get away from enemies, ingenuity to find shelter, and their size to ward off some attacks.

Kangaroos are tall, quick, great swimmers, and have thick skin on some parts of their body, like their stomachs, to prevent attacks.

Overall, humans have better defenses than kangaroos stemming from their intellect, but kangaroos have better physical defenses.

Human vs Kangaroo: Offensive Capabilities

Kangaroos can deliver a deadly attack from their legs. No, they don’t kick other animals to death. They disembowel them and rip them open with the long middle claw on their hind legs. Kangaroos will often strike or grapple an enemy and then balance on their tail to deliver a fatal blow.

Humans have relatively weak strikes, but they can use their feet, hands, and body weight to attack. In this particular case where we are prohibiting weapons to highlight human frailty, humans don’t have a particularly fatal attack to use in a fight.

Human vs Kangaroo: Predatory Behavior

Humans have several predatory abilities that allow them to trap and kill creatures. Aside from rudimentary ambushes without tools, humans are known for their cursorial hunting. They will use their endurance to track and attack prey once it is too weak to carry on. However, humans require tools to hunt many creatures.

Kangaroos are not predators since they are herbivores. However, they have some fighting instincts stemming from their boxing that serves as a competition for access to resources.

Humans have better predatory behaviors.

Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Human and a Kangaroo?

Human vs Kangaroo: Who Would Win in a Fight? (7)

A kangaroo would win a fight against a human being. A human being might have a weight advantage or even a height advantage in extreme cases, but a kangaroo has deadly biological tools in the form of its claws that can easily kill humans.

Do not be fooled by videos of humans successfully attacking a kangaroo. In the wild, a kangaroo will try to grasp their prey and then tear into it with the claws on its feet.

This will inflict devastating wounds on a human being or even disembowel them. Without weapons and armor, humans are fragile to these wild animals.

Meanwhile, humans would have to attack the kangaroo’s head. Unless the kangaroo was small or the human was lucky, doing enough damage to the creature to kill it with one’s bare hands would be difficult.

Thus, the kangaroo secures the victory in this case.

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Human vs Kangaroo: Who Would Win in a Fight? (2024)

FAQs

Are kangaroos stronger than humans? ›

In fact, kangaroos are stronger than humans in every aspect except their arms. One man learnt this the hard way, when he got into an intense fight with an eastern grey kangaroo in Ballina, New South Wales.

How hard is it to fight a kangaroo? ›

You don't stand much of a chance in a toe-to-toe standoff with a rampaging kangaroo, which can swipe at you with clawed hands or deliver powerful kicks to your abdomen while supporting itself on its tail. A kangaroo's foot claws are sharp enough to slice open a human abdomen.

Do kangaroos beat people? ›

Kangaroos very rarely beat a human. Instead, the forelimbs with their sharp claws are used to cause cuts and flesh wounds on the face and upper body of the enemy. More often, kangaroos use their strong hind legs to kick their enemies.

What animal can beat a kangaroo? ›

Standing up to dogs

Other than humans, dogs—including large pets and dingoes—are the main predators of kangaroos. Dogs usually operate in packs to attack and kill kangaroos by running them down.

Can a kangaroo punch a human? ›

Contrary to popular belief, kangaroos don't normally try to box, or punch, each other, says Festa-Bianchet. Instead, they prefer to balance on their strong tails and kick with their powerful back legs. "If the kangaroo had done that to the guy it could have disemboweled him," says Festa-Bianchet.

How hard can a kangaroo punch? ›

They also have a punch force of about 275 pounds. Kangaroos also have powerful jaws, coming in with a bite force of up to 925 PSI – this is the same bite force as a grizzly bear!

What animals could humans beat in a fight? ›

Rats and house cats were the easiest presumed pushovers, with two-thirds of participants claiming they could see one off, while grizzly bears, elephants and lions were rightfully respected – only 2 per cent of pollsters claimed they would be able to take one down.

What to do if a kangaroo tries to fight you? ›

If you are attacked, drop to the ground and curl into a ball with your hands protecting your face and throat. Try to remain calm and still until the animal moves away, or if you can, keep low to the ground and move behind some form of cover.

Can a kangaroo break your bones? ›

Kangaroo fights are highly ritualized, with lots of posturing, grunting, and grass-pulling, but they are not just for show. A two-footed dropkick from a grey kangaroo – which can travel 20 feet in a single hop – can break bones and even bring death to an opponent.

Why do kangaroos try to fight you? ›

Indeed, a pet kangaroo may perceive its human owner as a rival kangaroo or a potential predator, or perhaps both. As a result, kangaroos sometimes attack people, causing nasty and even fatal injuries.

Who would win kangaroo vs gorilla? ›

The gorilla has the weight and power to overwhelm the lighter creature completely. It would use all its weight and power to topple the kangaroo in a bout of extreme violence.

How strong is a kangaroo kick? ›

In a battle royale for Most Powerful Animal, a red kangaroo might take the martial-arts belt, thanks to a bone-shattering kick that delivers 759 pounds of force. Evolution has nudged wild creatures to hone their blows, bites, and brute strength for survival.

Can a dog defeat a kangaroo? ›

Standing up to dogs

Other than humans, dogs – including large pets and dingoes – are the main predators of kangaroos. Dogs usually operate in packs to attack and kill kangaroos by running them down.

Can a human fight a wolf? ›

An unarmed human could not beat a wolf in a fight.

Wolves are too strong, fast, and ferocious for a person to overcome in the vast majority of cases. They are not merely big dogs. Wolves are apex predators that would make any lone person recoil in fear should they encounter one in the wild.

Can a kangaroo rip you open? ›

"If you're standing up, the kangaroo can kick you with its hind feet and that can pretty much rip you open," he said. "That's extremely dangerous." "You need to crouch down low and back away, get away, and get a bush or a tree between you and the kangaroo.

What's the biggest animal a human could fight? ›

An elephant, of course, especially an adult elephant. Elephants are the kings (and queens since they're matriarchal) of brute strength among land animals. Just about every animal (ex: dinosaurs, mammoths, mastodons) that matched them and size in strength is gone.

How strong is a human punch? ›

The average human punch generates around 120-150 psi or 360-450 pounds of force in total. Keep in mind that these numbers are average, which means some people fall outside that spectrum on both sides; lower and higher.

Should you speed up to hit a kangaroo? ›

Drop your speed and stay alert in unfamiliar or wildlife populated areas. If you come across a kangaroo, brake to avoid a collision – don't swerve. If you're in an accident prioritise safety, call 000 if needed, then contact your insurer. If you hit a kangaroo, contact a wildlife rescue organisation or the local police ...

What animal has the strongest kick? ›

Strongest Kick: Zebra – Kicks with About 3,000 Pounds of Force. Between the well-known force behind the kick of a red kangaroo and a giraffe, you might be surprised to read that the zebra beats them both. When threatened, an adult zebra can kill a fully grown male African lion with a single blow to the body.

What animal fights hardest? ›

The results show that the elephant wears the crown in the animal kingdom – but only slightly. Elephants had a win rate of 74%, just fractions of a percent ahead of their single-horned cousins – the rhinoceros – in second place, also on 74%. Not far behind in third place is the grizzly bear, at 73%.

What animal can outsmart a human? ›

Chimpanzees. As our closest living relatives, chimpanzees have unsurprisingly shown themselves to be exceptionally intelligent. They also have impressive short-term memories – better than our own. Chimps can remember the location of numbers flashed before them for a fraction of a second.

What animals has the strongest punch? ›

Mantis shrimp pack the strongest punch of any creature in the animal kingdom. Their club-like appendages accelerate faster than a bullet out of a gun and just one strike can knock the arm off a crab or break through a snail shell. These small but mighty crustaceans have been known to take on octopus and win.

How many humans are killed by kangaroos each year? ›

Kangaroos: 18 deaths.

Do you call the police if you hit a kangaroo? ›

For injured kangaroos in the area, call 13 22 81. For injured wildlife in NSW: WIRES on 1300 094 737.

What happens if you hit a kangaroo? ›

Drivers aren't expected to give first aid, but they should call the relevant local wildlife rescue organisation and seek their advice on how to safely help or ease the pain of an injured animal. If a kangaroo sadly hasn't survived, make conditions safe for other drivers by moving it to the side of the road.

Can you win a fist fight with a kangaroo? ›

A kangaroo would win a fight against a human being.

In the wild, a kangaroo will try to grasp their prey and then tear into it with the claws on its feet. This will inflict devastating wounds on a human being or even disembowel them.

Can a human beat up a gorilla? ›

No, an unarmed human being could not beat a gorilla in a fight. Simply put, gorillas are far too strong for human beings to overcome. If the human sees the gorilla first, the best the human could hope for is finding a nearby place to hide.

Are gorillas 10 times stronger than humans? ›

Gorilla strength is estimated to be about 10 times their body weight. Fully grown silverbacks are in actually stronger than 20 adult humans combined. A Silverback gorilla can lift 4,000 lb (1,810 kg) on a bench press, while a well-trained man can only lift up to 885 lb (401.5 kg.

Can a gorilla beat a hippo? ›

If a fight occurred between a hippo and a gorilla it is obvious that a hippo severely outmatches even the largest of gorillas and strongest gorillas. In a fight, a hippo can easily kill a gorilla by either charging through them or using its large mouth to take them out.

Are humans the strongest animal? ›

The strongest land animal in the world is the elephant. The typical Asian elephant has 100,000 muscles and tendons arranged along the length of the trunk, enabling it to lift almost 800 pounds. The gorilla, the strongest as well as largest primate on the planet, is at least six times stronger than the average human.

Can kangaroo fight lion? ›

No. While a lion certainly could be seriously injured with some luck, roos aren't any bigger than some of the antelope that lions eat. Kangaroos prefer to flee predators, even dingos.

What's the tallest kangaroo? ›

description. … largest living marsupial is the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus), males of which can grow to about 2 metres (6.6 feet) in height, 3 metres (10 feet) from muzzle to tail tip, and a weight of up to 90 kg (about 200 pounds).

Do kangaroos have predators? ›

Kangaroos face few natural predators, aside from humans and wild dogs called dingoes. Heat, drought, and hunger due to vanishing habitat are among the largest threats to kangaroos.

How fast can a kangaroo run? ›

Strength and Speed

A red kangaroo can reach speeds of over 35 miles an hour. Their bounding gait allows them to cover 25 feet in a single leap and to jump 6 feet high.

Are kangaroos smart? ›

A study from the University of Sydney and the University of Roehampton in London suggests that kangaroos are capable of intentionally communicating with humans, suggesting a higher level of cognitive function than previously thought.

Do kangaroos like fighting? ›

In addition to their females' pouches, kangaroos are known for their “boxing” skills, and here's the reason why: Male kangaroos often fight to establish dominance or win a mate. Fights consist mostly of balancing on their tails while trying to knock their opponent off balance.

Can a human fight a tiger? ›

Your weapon is whatever you get or have in hand. With his canines and claws, he can hurt fatally. Tigers avoid fights. But if they get into the fight they will go for the kill, until and unless they are surprised by you, and just want to escape.

Can a human fight a chimp? ›

A chimp would win a fight against a human. Although chimps and humans are carnivores with formidable fighting abilities, a chimp is far more aggressive and violent than a person. The ideal plan is to run as fast and as far as possible.

Can a man fight a lion? ›

No, an unarmed human could not beat a lion in a fight.

Even if a human came upon a sleeping lion, their chances of killing it would be laughably small. Humans aren't going to knock out a lion with a kick or punch in one shot.

How powerful is a kangaroo? ›

In a battle royale for Most Powerful Animal, a red kangaroo might take the martial-arts belt, thanks to a bone-shattering kick that delivers 759 pounds of force. Evolution has nudged wild creatures to hone their blows, bites, and brute strength for survival.

Whats stronger gorilla or kangaroo? ›

A gorilla would win a fight against a kangaroo.

The gorilla has the weight and power to overwhelm the lighter creature completely. It would use all its weight and power to topple the kangaroo in a bout of extreme violence.

Are kangaroos super muscular? ›

Kangaroos have the strongest and most muscular legs of any hopping animal. Above all, kangaroos are genetically predisposed to be muscular. Pure muscle accounts for 50% of their total weight. As a result, they are naturally buff animals.

Why do kangaroos fight like humans? ›

Kangaroos will often box and kick for dominance in mating. Kangaroos are well known as being serious fighters and they partake in the unique phenomenon that is known as boxing. Boxing is ritualized fighting between male kangaroos and is often likened to boxing matches between humans.

What animal is the strongest fighter? ›

Strongest Fighter: Grizzly Bear – Can Lift More than Twice its Own Weight. A grizzly bear can weigh up to 500 pounds and lift twice its weight.

Can a kangaroo defeat a dog? ›

A large male kangaroo has the height and upper-body strength to kill any dog that enters the water, as the first European colonists learned when their hunting dogs were drowned. Domestic dogs and kangaroos do not mix.

Can a lion fight a gorilla? ›

A lion would almost certainly win in a fight against a gorilla. The reasoning should not be all that surprising. A lion will stalk and ambush a gorilla in the dense vegetation of their natural habitat by waiting until it's dark to have the edge. They have a good chance at ending the fight in seconds.

Could a tiger beat a gorilla in a fight? ›

A tiger would kill a gorilla in a fight. If a tiger managed to ambush a gorilla, the tiger would immediately kill it. Although the gorilla is strong, the fact is that it could not stop 600 pounds of charging muscle and teeth.

How fast can kangaroos run? ›

Strength and Speed

Red kangaroos hop along on their powerful hind legs and do so at great speed. A red kangaroo can reach speeds of over 35 miles an hour. Their bounding gait allows them to cover 25 feet in a single leap and to jump 6 feet high.

Why are kangaroos tough guys? ›

a. The phrase 'tough guys' means that the kangaroos are very strong animals.

What happens if a kangaroo kicks you? ›

"If you're standing up, the kangaroo can kick you with its hind feet and that can pretty much rip you open," he said. "That's extremely dangerous." "You need to crouch down low and back away, get away, and get a bush or a tree between you and the kangaroo. It's not going to chase you far."

Why do kangaroos stare at you? ›

The research revealed that kangaroos gazed at a human when trying to access food which had been put in a closed plastic container. The kangaroos used gazes to communicate with the human after trying and failing to open the container themselves, a behaviour that is usually expected for domesticated animals.

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