The tail of a kangaroo is almost its ‘fifth leg’. But how?

Q. The tail of a kangaroo is almost its ‘fifth leg’. But how?

Ans. Kangaroos are well known for their rapid movements, hopping and jumping effortlessly. Due to their odd body shape they cannot walk in the conventional manner like other mammals. They move pentapedally by making the use of their muscular tail as an ‘extra leg’ when they walk. First they plant their front legs and then their tail on the ground and push forward with their tail before the hind legs come into play. The tail propels and powers their motion. Even when they are at rest, they place their tail on the ground along with their hind legs to make them look like a tripod.