Animals that jump and hop include Bharal, Cricket, Fleas, Froghoppers, Grasshopper, and Hare.
Animals are some of the most fascinating creatures on earth. They come in many shapes and sizes, with each animal having its own unique way of moving around.
Some animals hop or jump, while others walk or run.
Examples of Animals that Jump and Hop
Jump and Hop is a reference to how animals move around in their habitat. It can include the way they jump or hop, as well as other ways in which they move.
Animals use these methods for different reasons- sometimes it’s for escaping predators, migrating to new habitats, finding food sources, etc.
1. Bharal (aka Blue Sheep)
| Scientific Name | Pseudois nayaur |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet |
| Jump/Hop Height | 6.5 ft. (2 m) |
One example of an animal that jumps is the Bharal. These mountain-dwelling creatures are a type of Himalayan antelope, and they can jump as high as six feet in order to avoid predators.
In addition to jumping so high, these animals also have built-up pads on each hoof which helps them grip better when running on snowy or rocky slopes.
2. Birds
| Scientific Name | Aves |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Jump/Hop Height | 30 cm |
Birds are a great example of animals that jump or hop. It is true for many bird species that they must be able to move their legs in order to fly.
But did you know some birds also use their legs when on the ground? Take penguins as an example – these flightless birds actually stand upright and jump to move around on land.
3. Crickets
| Scientific Name | Grylloidea |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Wordlwide |
| Jump/Hop Height | 3.5 ft. (106 cm) |
Crickets are jumping insects that many people are familiar with. Crickets jump using their back legs to spring themselves in the air and can jump up to 42 inches high. This makes them one of the largest insects capable of jumping.
4. Flea
| Scientific Name | Siphonaptera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Jump/Hop Height | 220 times their own body length |
Fleas are small, wingless insects that rely on jumping to move around. Fleas have powerful hind legs which they use to push against the ground with in order to jump very high into the air. They can actually leap up to 220 times their own body length.
That would be like a human leaping over 30 school buses stacked together!
5. Froghopper
| Scientific Name | Cercopoidea |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Europe and North America |
| Jump/Hop Height | 2.3 ft. (70 cm) |
The froghopper is a small insect that jumps with its hind legs. It uses the same basic leg muscles as humans to jump, but it has some key differences in how its muscles are arranged.
The muscle fibers on each side of their body run diagonally across their back and attach right next to one another so they can move together. This makes it easier for the froghopper to jump, but this arrangement also gives them a very large range of motion when jumping.
6. Grasshopper
| Scientific Name | Caelifera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Jump/Hop Height | 2.5 ft. (76 cm) |
Another example of an animal that jumps and hops is the grasshopper. They are able to jump incredibly high, with some species capable of jumping over 50 times their own body length
The muscles in a grasshopper’s legs work so efficiently together for this act because they store energy inside them when stretched out.
Once these muscles contract back into the grasshopper’s body, this energy is released and propels it into the air.
7. Hare
| Scientific Name | Lepus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa, Eurasia, North America |
| Jump/Hop Height | 11.9 ft. (3.65 m) |
Hares are perhaps the most well-known examples of animals that jump and hop. These mammals have long, powerful hind legs which they use to propel themselves forward in a bounding motion when escaping from predators or moving around their environments.
They’re also incredibly quick, running at speeds of up to 45 mph (72kph). Hares are difficult for predators to catch since they’re fast and they can jump higher than rabbits.
8. Hopping Mice
| Scientific Name | Notomys |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Australia |
| Jump/Hop Height | 13 ft. (4 m) |
Mice, also known as house mice and field mice, are some of the most common types of rodents. They can be found in nearly every corner of the earth.
Hopping mice live throughout Asia and Africa. These little guys have very powerful hind legs that they use to jump around on the ground with while looking for food.
The best part about hopping mice is that they have a special tendon in their knees called the patellar tendon. This allows them to jump so many times without getting tired.
9. Jerboa
| Scientific Name | Euchoreutes naso |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | eastern Europe, Asia, and northern Africa |
| Jump/Hop Height | 9.8 ft. (3 m) |
The jerboa is a small mammal that lives in Asia and Africa. It has long hind legs, short forelegs, large eyes, and ears.
These animals are nocturnal desert dwellers who eat plants, seeds, insects, and snails during the nighttime hours when it’s cool enough for them to hunt prey.
The jerboa is able to jump up to three meters in one leap and can be found living in underground burrows.
10. Jumping Spider
| Scientific Name | Salticidae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Tropical forests |
| Jump/Hop Height | 10 in. (25 cm) |
The jumping spider is a type of spider that has the ability to jump up to 50 times its own body length.
They mainly use this skill for hunting, which involves them leaping onto their prey and injecting venom into it with their fangs.
The jumping spiders are arachnids that have eight eyes, six small ones arranged in pairs on top of its head, and two larger ones, which are set forward on either side.
11. Kangaroo
| Scientific Name | Macropodidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Australia |
| Jump/Hop Height | 25 ft. (7.6 m) |
The Red Kangaroo is the largest marsupial in the world. They live mostly on grasses, but will also eat fungi and tree leaves if their usual food isn’t available.
The kangaroo has large, strong hind legs that it uses to hop around at speeds of 43 mph.
It can even leap up to 25 feet which is the height of a two-story building!
12. Kangaroo Rat
| Scientific Name | Dipodomys |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America from southern Canada |
| Jump/Hop Height | 9 ft. (2.75 m) |
Kangaroo rats are small, nocturnal mice-like rodents found in deserts and grasslands throughout North America.
They have large hind legs which they use to hop around in a bipedal manner. In fact, they can hop up to nine feet in a single leap.
This allows them to escape predators and get around quickly while looking for food.
13. Klipspringer
| Scientific Name | Oreotragus oreotragus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | eastern Africa |
| Jump/Hop Height | 25 ft. (7.6 m) |
The klipspringer is a small antelope found in the mountainous regions of eastern and southern Africa, including countries like Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa. The name comes from Dutch meaning ‘rock jumper’.
This type of animal has an amazing balance which allows them to move quickly across steep slopes while avoiding predators.
14. Mantis
| Scientific Name | Mantis religiosa |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Europe, Asia, and Africa |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The mantis is a large insect that lives in Europe and Asia. They can grow up to four inches long, which makes them one of the biggest insects found around the world.
The mantis is an extremely fast jumper who can perform aerobatics in the air to avoid predation by birds.
15. Rabbits
| Scientific Name | Oryctolagus cuniculus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Jump/Hop Height | 15 ft. (4.5 m) |
Rabbits are some of the most popular animals that jump and hop. They are best known for their ability to quickly move around using different types of jumps, including leap-frog bounds, high leaps called binkies, side jumps called skips or scissors, double bounces where they land on alternate feet with each bounce (sometimes referred to as a “sit” and “lie” or a “sit-up”), and high jumps called jack-knifes.
16. Tree Frog
| Scientific Name | Hylidae |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | Every continent except Antarctica |
| Jump/Hop Height | 150 times their own body length |
Many species of frogs can jump from place to place. One type, the tree frog is known for being able to leap over 150 times its own size.
This allows them to escape predators and move around with ease. Their long legs help propel their leaps forward while a sticky substance on their toes helps keep them attached when they land in trees or on other surfaces.
17. Wallabies
| Scientific Name | Notamacropus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Australia |
| Jump/Hop Height | 9.8 ft. (3 m) |
The wallabies are some of the most famous hoppers in Australia. They can usually be found hopping around all over.
Wallabies have very flexible ankles which allow them to jump 10 feet into the air. This is not just because wallabies are very athletic but also to escape from predators.
Wallabies will use their powerful hind legs, which can grow up to 2 feet in length, and use it to jump away from any potential danger.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.