Kangaroos are not considered kosher animals according to Jewish dietary laws. There are a few reasons why kangaroos do not meet the kosher criteria:
Kangaroos do not have split hooves
One of the requirements for a land animal to be kosher is that it has split hooves. Cows, sheep, goats, and deer all have split hooves and are kosher. Kangaroos have large feet with long hind legs and tails that they use for jumping. Their feet are not split into two toes, so they do not have split hooves. This fails one of the kosher tests.
Kangaroos chew cud but do not have split hooves
For a land animal to be kosher, it must both chew its cud and have split hooves. Kangaroos are ruminants, meaning they chew their cud and have a four-chambered stomach to digest plant materials. However, since they lack split hooves, they fail to meet both requirements to be kosher.
Kangaroos are not domesticated livestock animals
Most kosher land animals are domesticated livestock species that have been historically eaten by Jewish communities. This includes animals like cows, sheep, goats, and deer. Kangaroos are wild animals that have never been domesticated as livestock. Traditionally, wild game animals are not considered kosher.
Kangaroo meat is not mentioned in the Torah
The Torah specifically mentions which animals are permitted and forbidden for consumption. Kosher mammals are those that both chew their cud and have cloven hooves. Kangaroos are not mentioned at all in the Torah as being approved for eating. Since they do not meet the criteria laid out in the Torah, kangaroos are considered non-kosher by default.
Kangaroos are exotic to the Jewish homeland
Historically, most kosher animals were domesticated in the Middle East where Jewish laws originated. Familiar livestock species like cattle, sheep, and goats were commonly raised. Kangaroos are only native to Australia – an exotic land unknown when kosher laws were established. Exotic animals have traditionally been avoided out of caution.
Rabbis have not certified kangaroos as kosher
For a new, unfamiliar animal to be declared kosher, it must be carefully examined by rabbis and certified to meet all the religious criteria. Kangaroos have never gone through this process. No rabbinical authorities have conducted an evaluation of kangaroos and certified them as being kosher. Without this certification, kangaroos remain in the non-kosher category by default.
Conclusion
In summary, kangaroos are not kosher because they do not have split hooves, are not domesticated livestock, are not mentioned in the Torah, are exotic to the Jewish homeland, and have not been certified as kosher by rabbis. Unless kangaroos undergo a formal kosher certification process, they will continue to be considered non-kosher animals unfit for consumption by observant Jews.