A recent video posted on Facebook has gone viral among Texans and around the country. In the video (which can be seen here…warning: the video contains foul language), a kangaroo is seen hopping down a back country road, swerving, bobbing and weaving, while folks in a car followed slowly behind the animal. This video wouldn’t have caused so much of a commotion if it had been filmed in Australia, but it turns out, this video was shot right here in the Texas Hill Country!
Nature
Viewers Jump to Conclusions About Kangaroo Filmed in the Hill Country
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Spotted Near Hunt, Texas
Photo: Flickr/Sebastian
Filmed near Hunt, Texas, on FM 1340, the wayward kangaroo looks decidedly out of place. There is no word on where the kangaroo came from, but many speculate that it could be an escapee from a nearby exotic ranch. The Texas Hill Country is home to many exotic ranches that give visitors a chance to hunt such non-native wildlife as zebra, Kudu, gazelle, and yes, even kangaroo. So, the most likely story is that this kangaroo escaped from a nearby ranch, but there is no word on the kangaroo’s current whereabouts or if he is still “on the lam.”
Is There a Secret Wild Kangaroo Population in the U.S.?
Photo: Flickr/Linda Martin
While this sighting of a kangaroo in the Hill Country seems rare, it’s actually not unheard of. Some believe that there is a secret kangaroo population alive and well, living in the United States. Ordinarily, kangaroos are only found naturally in Australia but have been living in captivity here in the United States for centuries. However, sightings of what experts call, “errant kangaroos” have been reported for decades and all over the United States. There is speculation that some of these kangaroos might be escaped zoo animals, pets, or—even more bizarre—a different species altogether. Some theorize that these animals are a cryptid called a “devil monkey.”
Not Just Deer You’ve Got to Watch for on Texas Roads
Photo: Flickr/Alan Levine
Scientists explain that kangaroos are herbivores and their habitats range from forest to grasslands. They are also capable of withstanding moderately cold conditions, so it stands to reason that kangaroos could possibly survive on their own in the United States. So, no matter what species these tall, powerful jumpers are, be sure to keep your eyes peeled this time of the year in the Texas Hill Country. Turns out, it’s not just deer you’ve got to watch out for on Hill Country roads!
