Early kangaroos couldn't hop: WA research

Kangaroos originally couldn't hop, an archaeological discovery by Australian scientists has revealed.

Research on two new species of extinct kangaroos, uncovered in Queensland last century, has shed light on the relatively unknown evolution of the marsupial.

Western Australian Museum mammals curator Kenny Travouillon said the new species lived about 15 to 23 million years ago, were the size of small wallabies and couldn't hop.

"These kangaroos moved about on all fours - we know they couldn't hop because their leg and ankle bones aren't the right shape," Dr Travouillon said.