Why Are Kangaroos Only Found in Australia?

Kangaroos are found only in Australia because their marsupial ancestors migrated to the continent before it became geographically isolated. Land bridges connected South America to Australia via Antarctica during the Cretaceous Period (145 to 66 million years ago). These allowed early marsupials to colonize and thrive on the Australian landmass before it separated from other continents.

Once marsupials reached Australia, the continent’s geographical isolation played a crucial role in their evolution. By about 65 million years ago, Australia was cut off from other continents, creating a unique environment in which kangaroos and other marsupials evolved into a wide variety of forms.