A first-of-its-kind study has suggested a Skippy-esque conversation between humans and kangaroos like in the iconic Aussie TV show is not as far-fetched as you might think.
Researchers from the University of Sydney and the University of Roehampton in the UK found kangaroos are more than capable of communicating with humans on a basic level.
As part of the study, kangaroos across three locations were presented with food inside a box that they would not be able to open – essentially an “unsolvable task”.
Co-author Dr Alexandra Green says once the kangaroos identified the problem, the vast majority would look at the researcher, then back at the box.
Kangaroos in the study indicated they wanted help
This is significant, as the action implied a request for help.
“Some of them actually approached him and started scratching at him and sniffing at him and then looking back at the box so they were really trying to communicate with him,” she said.
Similar behaviour has been seen in animals like dogs, horses and goats.
But while these animals have been domesticated for hundreds of years, kangaroos still remain wild.
The researchers note that the study had limited scale – only 11 kangaroos were interacted with – but it lends weight to the idea that interspecies communication can be learned by any animal with enough brainpower, in the right setting.
“Originally they thought it was a domesticated trait but what we think is that instead of it being something that you’ve evolved with, it’s something that you can learn given the right environmental conditions,” Dr Green added.
Just maybe don’t try this next time you’re out in the bush!
