Search Here

How much do kangaroo farts contribute to global warming? More than what was earlier thought, researchers in Australia concluded.

Past studies found that Australia's largest marsupial is a small emitter thanks to its unique microbiome. In the new study, researchers at University of Wollongong concluded that kangaroos are as gassy as horses and they emit more methane from the rear end than their mouths.

"The main hypotheses behind kangaroos producing little methane have focused on kangaroos having a unique microbiome that produces less methane, mainly from flatulence rather than burping like cows and sheep. But, without wanting to burst the bubble of the microbiologists, our findings suggest otherwise," said Dr. Adam Munn who led the study.

So why are kangaroo emissions important and worth scientific discussion? According to Christian Science Monitor, livestock emissions account for 14.5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions and that 39 percent of livestock emissions are attributed to fermentative processes in ruminant guts. Methane constitutes 44 percent of livestock emissions and is several times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, warranting attention.

Motivated by studies that efficient bacteria help kangaroo guts produce less methane, researchers began looking for ways to harvest the marsupial's digestion abilities for use in cattle. The new study shows that kangaroo's relative smaller emissions compared to cattle can be attributed to difference in digestion process but not to its gut microbial composition. And that, the emissions are not as insignificant in quantity as was earlier thought.

The study has been published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.