Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Description:

Very large male. Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Macropus giganteus, is a marsupial mammal that belongs to a small group called macropods. They have hind legs that are larger than their forelimbs. Their hind feet are also large and powerful. Their long muscular tail is used for balance when hopping and as a fifth limb when movements are slow. The fur is a light grey woolly colour except the face which is darker. A dark tip of fur is also found on the tail. Males: body length to 1.3m, tail to 1m; females: body length to 1m, tail to 0.84m

Habitat:

They are found in habitats ranging from semi-arid mallee scrub through to woodlands, some farmland areas with remnant vegetation and forest. They tend to favour denser scrubs and forests.

Notes:

Breeding: Breeding occurs throughout the year, with peak in summer. Gestation takes about 36 days. Newborn young climbs into the pouch, attaching itself to one of t he four teats. The joey leaves the pouch at about 11 months of age. The joey suckles from the mother until about 18 months old, and by then another young may be in the pouch.