Researchers discover that all kangaroos are left-handed
"True"-handedness — that is, the preference for using one hand over the other — was once thought to be a trait unique to primates. No longer: According to Discovery, research backed by the National Geographic Society and published in Current Biology reveals that some marsupials can be even more true-handed than people. In fact, kangaroos are all left-handed.
Yep. Basically every single kangaroo is a lefty.
When going about their kangaroo business — grooming, picking leaves, bending tree branches, giving high fives — wild eastern and red kangaroos choose to use their left hands. The news is a bit of a surprise even to researchers because, unlike other mammals, kangaroos don't have the same sort of neural circuitry in their brains bridging the left and right hemispheres. Further research on kangaroo brains, then, could potentially lead to medical advances in disorders linked to handedness, like autism and schizophrenia.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Not all marsupials are lefties, though — red-necked wallabies, alas, prefer their right hands.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published