I didn’t expect to be sharing a story about a kangaroo and a crow but when I came across it I just had to share it with you. It sounds more like the start of a joke than a heartwarming story about the wonders of nature. Surprisingly Crows and kangaroos often cross paths, especially in Australia where they are both very common species of animal.
Crows are highly intelligent birds that can survive in both cities and remote rural areas. They scavenge for food, eating insects, small mice, fruit, human leftover foods and almost anything they can get their beaks on. Crows have a pretty bad reputation with people. Like their relatives, the Raven, their dark colour is often associated with doom, death and they are even believed by some to carry our soul to the afterlife. That’s a pretty gloomy thought for a positive story so let’s change the tone and see whether this story will make you feel a little differently about crows.
In the video below a Kangaroo is drinking from a water trough. His ears look in a pretty bad condition. I’ve never looked closely at a kangaroo’s ears before but they don’t look very healthy. The crow edges closer to the Kangaroo before backing away a few times. He’s much smaller than the big and powerful Kangaroo.
Kangaroo’s look fun and playful as they hop along but their legs have incredible strength. Kangaroos are known for their incredibly powerful kicks, which can exert a force of up to 759 pounds, equivalent to the weight of a grand piano. These kicks are strong enough to cause serious injury, and in rare cases, can even be fatal. The strength of their kicks is due to their muscular hind legs and unique tendons, which store and release energy efficiently. I wish I had this much energy!.
The crow would be no match for this kind of force if he got too close and found himself in the wrong place so he’s taking a bit of a calculated risk, but why is he doing this?
He’s edging closer the the Kangaroo because he knows that kangaroos are often infested with a small little creature called a tick. He’s hungry and a tick is a small but tasty little snack for a crow. However, for the kangaroo and his ears, a tick is a nightmare. They feed off his blood and they can spread diseases and even kill a kangaroo or paralyse them. The Kangaroo can’t just pick these little creatures off his ears so theres not much he can do about them. This is where the crow comes in helpful.
As the crow gets closer to the kangaroo the kangaroo isn’t too afraid but is cautious. What’s this little guy doing here? It turns out he’s come to feed off the kangaroos tick infested ear. He moves fast, grabs a tick and retreats to a safe distance to eat it. The Kangaroo is a little bit irritated by this but continues to drink water.
You might be thinking, what a lovely crow, helping out the kangaroo, but really it is just trying to survive and the tick is full of protein. An unexpected interaction that is mutually beneficial. The crow gets to eat and the kangaroo has less chance of catching tick Bourne diseases. Nature is full of wonderful and unusual stories like this one and I love hearing about them.
The Symbiotic Relationship Between Crows and Kangaroos
Crows and kangaroos might seem like an odd pair, but their interactions reveal the wonders of nature’s symbiotic relationships. In this story, a crow’s calculated risk to get close to a kangaroo results in mutual benefits: the crow gets a nutritious meal, and the kangaroo gets relief from harmful ticks.
Kangaroo Kicks: Powerful and Dangerous
Kangaroos are known for their powerful kicks, which can exert a force of up to 759 pounds. This incredible strength, due to their muscular hind legs and unique tendons, makes them a formidable force in the wild. Understanding this power highlights the risk the crow took in approaching the kangaroo.
The Intelligence of Crows
Crows are incredibly intelligent birds, capable of problem-solving and using tools. Their cognitive abilities are on par with some primates. This intelligence likely plays a role in their interactions with other animals, such as the kangaroo in our story. For more on crow intelligence, check out this article.
The Ecological Role of Crows
Crows play a vital role in their ecosystems. As scavengers, they help clean up the environment by eating dead animals and waste. Their role in controlling tick populations, as seen in this story, is another example of their ecological importance. You can read more about their ecological role in this study.
The Plight of Kangaroos
Kangaroos face numerous challenges in the wild, from habitat loss to predation. Ticks and other parasites add to their struggles, making the crow’s assistance even more valuable. Efforts to protect kangaroo habitats and manage tick populations are crucial for their survival. Learn more about kangaroo conservation from this resource.
Nature’s Unexpected Partnerships
Stories like this one between the crow and kangaroo showcase nature’s unexpected partnerships. These interactions remind us of the interconnectedness of life and the surprising ways different species can help each other survive. Such stories inspire a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the delicate balance that sustains it.
How You Can Help
- Support Wildlife Conservation: Donate to organizations that work to protect wildlife habitats and manage populations.
- Educate Others: Share stories like this to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and symbiotic relationships in nature.
- Get Involved Locally: Participate in local conservation efforts, such as habitat restoration projects or wildlife monitoring programs.
By understanding and supporting the intricate relationships in nature, we can help preserve the delicate balance that allows diverse species to thrive. Even though our focus here at Middle Kingdom rescue is to help stray cats and dogs find homes and survive a difficult life on the streets, we love all wildlife and love to connect with nature as much as possible.
Through life we welcome help from others who like angels and spirits along with God and Mother Nature have knowledge beyond our comprehension.