Two Kangaroos Duke it Out Before One Throws the Other Through a Metal Fence

Cartoons often show kangaroos wearing bright red boxing gloves, but did you know that kangaroo boxing is actually a real thing? Kangaroos are naturally built for intense boxing matches (minus the gloves, of course), as you can see in this YouTube video where two kangaroos fight so furiously that one is thrown right through a metal fence!

Why Do Kangaroos Fight?

Dominance and Mating Rights

Male kangaroos fight for dominance and mating rights. This is known as “ritualized fighting.” In the kangaroo world, only the strongest and most intelligent males get to pass on their genes. This is typically the alpha male, a position earned by winning fights against other males. The alpha male leads the kangaroo group and mates with the females. Other males can mate as well, but they typically only do so when the alpha male isn’t present.

Protection and Self-Defense

Both male and female kangaroos also fight to protect themselves and their territory. Females, in particular, can be very aggressive in defense of their young. Kangaroos use their front paws to grip an opponent and then deliver powerful kicks with their strong hind legs. Kangaroos have long, sharp claws on both their front and back feet, which can cause serious injury. There are even documented cases of kangaroos disemboweling humans and dogs.

Play-Fighting and Practice

Younger kangaroos regularly spar as part of play and to learn vital skills for adulthood. Mothers often initiate this learning process by play-fighting with their young, and as they get older, they spar with other young kangaroos. This play-fighting helps them become familiar with their bodies, build strength, and improve their balance and coordination. As young males mature, their sparring becomes more serious as they establish their position within the group.

Even after reaching adulthood, male kangaroos engage in what researchers call “play-fighting” or “non-resource fighting.” These aren’t serious fights for food, water, territory, or females; instead, the main goal is simply to push an opponent off balance and onto the ground. Unlike real fights, these battles do not aim to injure each other with powerful kicks. Interestingly, larger and stronger kangaroos often hold back, standing flat-footed and kicking their opponents less than in real fights. In addition, it’s not always clear who is actually “winning” these fights. Moreover, these non-serious bouts can involve multiple rounds with breaks in between, and the kangaroos rarely get seriously injured. These minor battles likely help male kangaroos assess potential rivals for future, more serious conflicts, and allow younger, less experienced kangaroos to gain valuable practice.

How Do Kangaroos Fight?

Kangaroos are powerful animals and can cause a lot of damage when fighting. Red kangaroos (Macropus rufus), in particular, are the largest, growing over 6 feet tall and weighing up to nearly 200 pounds. However, they generally try to avoid fighting unless it is absolutely necessary. Many kangaroos will even use bluff tactics to intimidate others into submission. These bluffs can include exaggerated walking, rubbing their chests, standing tall on their back legs, pulling up grass, and over-the-top grooming. Younger kangaroos may also use these displays to challenge more dominant kangaroos. A dominant male might observe these bluffs and, recognizing their superior strength, simply walk away, deeming the fight a waste of time and energy.

Kangaroo fighting, often called “boxing,” is very intense. It usually begins with one male striking the other across the face with his hand. The two opponents then rise onto their toes and grab each other’s necks to wrestle. They throw their heads back to protect their eyes from sharp claws, as seen in the YouTube video. They punch and slap each other’s shoulders, face, chest, and neck, circling and striking rapidly.

Kangaroos can punch quickly with their front arms, while their powerful back legs give them incredible agility for jumping and moving about. Their large tails act as an extra limb, letting them lean back and deliver powerful double-kicks to their opponent’s abdomen with both hind feet. The skin on a male kangaroo’s chest and abdomen is especially thick and strong to withstand multiple kicks.

The Winner

Kangaroo boxing is a dangerous and often bloody contest, though most fights are brief. In unusual cases, they can last for hours or even days, but this is very uncommon. While rare, some fights end with the death of the weaker opponent. If a kangaroo decides it has lost, it will show submission by coughing several times or simply giving up and walking away. The winner then takes the title of dominant male and can mate with the group’s female kangaroos.