Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Scientific Name: Macropus giganteus
Size: TL 1,404–2,400mm, including tail 430–1100mm
What does it look like?
The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is grey to brownish-grey above, paler on face and hindlegs, and paler grey to whitish below. Head with moderately short, somewhat rounded ears, darker eye-ring and hairy snout. Feet and tip of tail black.
Where is it found?
Eastern Australia, from around Cooktown Qld, south through majority of NSW and Vic to south-eastern SA and eastern Tas (introduced to Maria Island).
What are its habitats & habits?
Wide ranging in variety of wooded habitats and adjacent open areas, where it tends to favour wetter areas, but also occurs in semi-arid regions. The Eastern Grey Kangaroo feeds on variety of grasses, herbs and leaves, both during the day and at night, and rests during the heat of the day in shade.
Interesting facts
First collected by Europeans at Cooktown in 1770, when Captain James Cook stopped there to repair the Endeavour.
Also known as: Scrubber
This species features in my book A Naturalist’s Guide to the Mammals of Australia
