Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

Eastern grey kangaroos can leap up to 9m in a single bound, but this great ability often gets them into trouble with Australian sheep farmers. Many are shot by farmers as they leap over fences and feed on grazing land, but luckily the kangaroo population is large enough to withstand this depletion in numbers.

What do they sound like?

  1. Eastern grey kangaroos grunting

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About the Eastern grey kangaroo

The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is a marsupial found in southern and eastern Australia, with a population of several million. It is also known as the Great Grey Kangaroo and the Forester Kangaroo. Although a big Eastern Grey male typically masses around 66 kg (weight 145 lb.) and stands almost 2 m (6 ft.) tall, the scientific name, Macropus giganteus (gigantic large-foot), is misleading, as the Red Kangaroo of the semi-arid inland is, at 85 kg, larger.

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Scientific Classification

Class: Mammal (Mammalia)

Order: Diprotodontia

Family: Macropod (Macropodidae)

Genus: Macropus

Species: Eastern Grey Kangaroo (giganteus)

Other Macropus

Where can I see them?

Map showing the distribution of the Eastern grey kangaroo species

Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder

Conservation Status

The Eastern grey kangaroo is Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

  1. EX - Extinct
  2. EW
  3. CR - Threatened
  4. EN - Threatened
  5. VU - Threatened
  6. NT
  7. LC - Least concern

Population trend: Stable

Year assessed: 2008

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