Macropus giganteus

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Family

Macropodidae

Genus

Macropus

Species

giganteus

Common name/s

Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Great Grey Kangaroo, Forester, Scrub Kangaroo, Scrubber

Distinguishing Features

Eastern Grey Kangaroos have a small head with large ears. Their scientific name refers to their strong hind legs with massive feet. Their fur colouring is steel grey on the upper body with a lighter shade of grey on the tail and belly. The tail can be up to four feet long. Males can weigh between 50-80kg and females 25-35kg. They are different to other large Kangaroos in having a hairy muzzle, with fine hairs in the area between the nostrils and the upper lip.

Similar Species

There are 69 species of Kangaroo. The closest in appearance to the Grey Kangaroo is the Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus), which is somewhat larger with rust-red colouring.

Distribution

The Grey Kangaroo lives where rainfall is greater than 250 millimetres a year, throughout eastern Australia including Tasmania and across the southern coast to southwest West Australia. A small number of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo are present in Tasmania. 

Country of Origin

Australia

Survey Techniques

This species was identified visually during night searches and with scats.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999. This species is protected and can only be taken with a licence issued by National Parks and Wildlife Services. Some farmers consider them a pest due to grazing competition with stock.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

Protected species. Common

LSCCES Population

Protected species. Common

Associated vegetation community

Eastern Greys are mostly found in grasslands, woodlands and open forests, with scattered tree cover and a reliable water source. Grey Kangaroos can also be found on urban fringes where they take advantage of the abundance of irrigated grass in ovals, golf courses and urban parkland.

Limiting Resources

Eastern Grey Kangaroos are found in open areas, although compared to Red Kangaroos (Macropus rufus) they prefer denser scrubs and forests. Their diet depends readily available vegetation and some form of drinking water close by.

Breeding

Breeding occurs throughout the year with a peak of births in the summer. Kangaroos are marsupials and their young are born nedding to spend a considerable amount of time in their mother's pouch. The gestation period usually lasts 35 days. However, if the conditions in their surrounding environment are not ideal, females can delay the progress of the pregnancy so that birth occurs up to 12 months after mating. Joeys stay in the mothers pouch until they are mature enough to make trips outside and gradually these trips become lengthier. Complete weaning occurs after a period of 9 - 11 months. Young females can begin breeding the following year at two years of age. The life span for Grey Kangaroos is 8-12 years.

Behaviour

Unlike many other macropods, Eastern Greys are fairly social and spend a lot of time with their 'mob' (group) of up to twenty individuals. They are grazing animals, feeding on grasses in the early morning and in the evening. During the day they are mostly seen resting in the shade of trees and shrubs. Males may fight one another when competing for a female's attention. They are generally shy of humans and will hop away when approached.

Functional Group

Herbivore

Food Species

Members of the Kangaroo (Macropodidae) family are primarily grass and leaf eaters. They also eat shrubs and herbs. Their ability to convert dry grass into energy-giving glucose explains their success at living in so many parts of Australia.

Predators

Dingoes (Canis lupus), snakes and birds of prey will attack this species and kill the young. In some areas of Australia, humans cull Kangaroos for meat or to lower grazing pressure on agricultural properties.