Kangaroo Cousin

Scientists in Australia have discovered that the kangaroo genome is remarkably similar to humans’. And here you were thinking it was a slow news day. A report out of the Center of Excellence for Kangaroo Genomics (really backing themselves into a corner there, as far as research fields go) compared human DNA to the pouched, pouncing pugilists’ and found “great chunks” of our own genetic codes—in order—within the kangaroo genome. By plugging this information into their Ancestor-o-matics, they calculated that kangaroos and humans last shared a common relative at least 150 million years ago. So I guess it’s safe for us to breed. Also, this genetic similarity might go a long way toward explaining the disturbingly anthropomorphic behavior of Kangaroo Jack, though it doesn’t at all explain why anyone ever put up the money to make Kangaroo Jack. More details here.