Eastern grey kangaroo

The eastern grey kangaroo, scientifically known as Macropus giganteus, is a marsupial native to the eastern third of Australia. It is also commonly referred to as the great grey kangaroo or the forester kangaroo. While a large male eastern grey kangaroo can weigh around 66 kg and stand nearly 2 meters tall, it is not the largest kangaroo species—that title belongs to the red kangaroo, which can weigh up to 90 kg and is found in semi-arid inland regions.

This species was first described by George Shaw in 1790. There are two subspecies: Macropus giganteus giganteus, found in eastern and central Australia, and Macropus giganteus tasmaniensis, native to Tasmania.

Eastern grey kangaroos rank as the second largest marsupials in Australia. Adult males typically weigh between 50 to 66 kg, while females range from 17 to 40 kg. They are easily identifiable by their soft grey fur and tend to inhabit moister, more fertile areas compared to their red kangaroo cousins. These kangaroos are primarily nocturnal and graze on grasses in open grasslands and bush areas.

They are social creatures, often forming groups with an average of three members. These groups have a dominance hierarchy, and their behavior varies depending on the risk of predators. Female kangaroos often form strong bonds with their relatives, and most births occur during the summer.

As of 2010, the population of eastern grey kangaroos in Australia was estimated to be around 11.4 million. Despite some culling in certain areas where they overgraze, these kangaroos remain common and widespread. They frequently come into conflict with agriculture as they inhabit fertile areas used for crops or exotic pasture grasses. Interestingly, kangaroo meat has been considered an alternative to beef in recent years.