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Eastern Grey Kangaroo  -  Macropus giganteus

The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is a large kangaroo species. A large adult male on its haunches can be up to 1.6 metres tall and weigh 70 kilograms; females are smaller, up to 1.2 metres high on their haunches, weighing 35 kilograms. The Eastern Grey Kangaroo has a grey-brown, light to dark grey fur, slightly darker on back and shoulders. The ends of paws, feet and tail may be darker grey to black. Females usually have a white chest. The snout is finely furred with hairs between the upper lip and nostrils; margins of the nostrils are bare black skin. In south-west Queensland, western New South Wales and north-west Victoria distribution overlaps with the Western Grey Kangaroo; the Eastern Grey can be distinguished by a paler face and grey fur. They have excellent eyesight, good sense of smell and large flexible ears and react quickly when danger approaches. An alarmed kangaroo thumps the ground with its back legs to warn other kangaroos. Widely distributed in woodlands, semi-arid mallee scrub, grasslands, shrubland and forests through much of the coastal plains, Great Dividing Range and inland plains of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania where annual rainfall exceeds 250 mm. This is the only kangaroo species found in Tasmania. This species favour habitats with grass cover and trees or shrubs for shelter. The typical home range includes open grassy vegetation, where kangaroos feeds from late afternoon to early morning, and denser wooded cover for resting during daylight. Diet is entirely vegetarian comprising grass, broad leaf plants and sometimes shrubs. This is a gregarious species living in small groups (known as 'mobs') dominated by an older male. Mobs and individuals are active in the early morning and late afternoon and spend much of the day resting in the shade. Lives for up to 25 years in the wild; females reach sexual maturity at about 22 months and males at about 43 months. Breeding takes place all year with a peak in summer. Gestation period is 36 days, then the embryo climb to the pouch and remains there for about 44 weeks attached to one of four teats. After fifteen weeks the mothers milk increases its fat and protein content and growth accelerates. At nine months old the joey leaves the pouch occasionally and leaves permanently at 11 months while still suckling. By then another embryo is probably in the pouch. Each teat can provide a different type of milk to suit joeys of different ages. Full weaning takes place at 18 months.

Information. ¶   Cronin's Key Guide - Australian Mammals, by Leonard Cronin, published by Jacana Books, 2008, pg 103. ¶  Field Guide to Australian Mammals by Cath Jones and Steve Parrish, Steve Parrish publishing, undated. pg144.

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