Are kangaroos often called bears

No, kangaroos are not often called bears. They are marsupials native to Australia and belong to the family Macropodidae. The term "kangaroo" specifically refers to these unique animals, while "bear" is associated with entirely different mammals. Sometimes, people might colloquially use "kangaroo bear" to refer to a stuffed toy or in a playful context, but this is not a common or accurate designation.