How (and Why) Do Kangaroos Move Their Ears?

Quick Take

• What kangaroos actually do with their ears when listening intently isn't what most people picture. See how ears actually move →
• Each kangaroo ear operates independently, and that separation unlocks a sensory capability that's hard to believe. Discover the 360° hearing advantage →
• A kangaroo's ear position can reveal something is seriously wrong before any other sign shows up. Learn what drooping ears signal →
• Kangaroos use their ears in social situations for a reason that has nothing to do with sound. Explore ears in social situations →

We spotted this question on Reddit, and it got us thinking about kangaroo ears and how and why they move them. There are some cool YouTube clips, like this one, that demonstrate just how mobile kangaroo ears are. So, let’s find out more.

Why Are Ears So Important to Kangaroos?

There are four species of kangaroo: the red kangaroo, the eastern grey kangaroo, the western grey kangaroo, and the antilopine kangaroo. They are grazers and eat a wide variety of foliage ranging from grasses to forbs. Kangaroos spend a lot of time feeding on grass in open plains. Dingos occupy similar habitats, and some will prey on kangaroos. Therefore, being able to detect approaching predators is crucial for their survival.

Vision and hearing are the most important senses for a kangaroo, although their acuity varies between species. Kangaroos have large ears made up of cartilage and fur. The ears are long, oval, and cup-shaped. Each ear can rotate 180 degrees independently, allowing kangaroos to take in the full 360 degrees of their environment. This movement is accomplished using strong muscles located below the ears. When their ears are pointed away from a sound source, their ability to detect that sound decreases significantly. Because the ears move independently, kangaroos can detect sounds from different parts of their environment at varying frequencies and intensities. For example, in the eastern grey kangaroo, the greatest sensitivity occurs at frequencies between 2-3.5kHz. 

Moving Ears Up and Down

If you observe a kangaroo listening closely, as shown in the YouTube clip, you will see that it moves its ears around rather than simply up and down. However, the ears can be angled slightly downward, and because they are so large, this helps pick up sounds closer to the ground. While grooming, kangaroos may flatten their ears as they use their paws to clean them. They may also use subtle changes in ear position to indicate submission during social interactions.

Sadly, when a kangaroo’s ears are angled downward (drooping), it is usually a sign of injury or poor health. This drooping is often accompanied by head shaking or other symptoms of illness. The disease called Phalaris staggers is one example.