Kangaroo leather

250px

Kangaroo leather is considered an exotic leather in many countries. However, in Australia, where the animals exist naturally and in abundance, the leather is as "normal" as deerskin in northern Europe and northern America. Kangaroos are not bred. Due to a lack of enemies in their natural habitat, their numbers have increased,leading to them being hunted. In Australia, kangaroo meat is heavily processed into dog food. However, a large part of the meat is also exported and is popular in other countries since the BSE crisis (aka mad cow disease) and also because of its low fat content.

Kangaroo meat is tasty and low in fat.

Kangaroo leather is considered to be very tear resistant and can be thinned and made lighter than cow leather without affecting its stability. The average thickness is 1 millimetre, which is less than cattle leather which is, 1.2 mm to 1.4 mm thick. However, it is almost twice as strong. These properties are due to very strong cross links of the skin fibre.

Kangaroos are often used for leather gloves, shoes and boots, but also for motorcycle suits. They are usually chromium-tanned and do not look very different from cow leather.

Complete skin of the kangaroo. - Pores of the skin.

The Copa Mundial is a soccer shoe from Adidas and has been produced since 1979. It is the most sold football shoe in the world. The upper material of the Copa consists of kangaroo leather.

297px