Kangaroos cannot physically walk backwards. It is biologically impossible. That's why they're on the coat of arms, with the emu, because both species can only ever move forward. Australia, the nation that does not retreat. Every Aussie tour guide says it. Every primary school teacher says it. Every drunk uncle at Christmas says it.
Kangaroos can walk backwards. They just don't usually choose to, because their hopping gait is built for forward propulsion using a tendon-loaded jump powered by the back legs and tail-as-tripod. When they need to reverse, in tight cover, on rough ground, or away from a threat, they shuffle backwards using their forelimbs and tail in a sort of crab gait that works perfectly well for the few metres they need it. There is video footage. There are zoological records. The Australian War Memorial has photographs of kangaroos doing it. The reason the 'never walks backwards' line is on the coat of arms reasoning is partly that it sounds good, and partly that emus also do not normally walk backwards (though they can also reverse if they really need to, see also 'video footage'). The coat of arms metaphor about a nation that always advances is a great line. The biology behind it is wrong. The animals are just lazy reversers.
Reception
Sources
- Australian Museum: Kangaroo locomotion REFERENCE
- Smithsonian Magazine: Kangaroo gait REFERENCE