The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is a large kangaroo found across the eastern part of Australia, known to number in the millions. Although the scientific description of ‘giganteus’ may be appropriate, it is actually smaller then the Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus, also Macropus rufus).
The eastern grey is sometimes mistaken for the western grey kangaroos, as they are closely related. Whilst their habitat range can overlap and they have similar body and facial structure, the eastern grey’s has a light-coloured grey or brownish-grey coat, with a lighter silver or cream, sometimes nearly white, belly. The western grey is a dark dusty brown colour, and has more contrast especially around the head.
Where their ranges overlap, it is much more difficult to distinguish between eastern grey and western grey kangaroos, which are closely related. They have a very similar body and facial structure, and their noses/muzzles are fully covered with fine hair (though that is not obvious at a distance, their noses do look noticeably different from the noses of reds and wallaroos).
Common name
Great grey kangaroo, forester kangaroo.
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Infraclass: Marsupialia
- Order: Diprotodontia
- Family: Macropodidae
- Genus: Macropus
- Species: M. giganteus
- Binomial name: Macropus giganteus