Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

Other common names: Great Grey Kangaroo, Forester, Scrub Kangaroo

Size: Males to 2302mm, Females to 1857mm (head and body length)

Tail length: Males to 1090mm, Females to 842mm

Weight: Males to 75kg Females to 40kg

Development: Sexually mature at 20-36 months. Young vacate the pouch at about 11 months and suckle at foot until about 18 months old.

Natural Habitat: Dry sclerophyll forests, woodlands, and low open scrub with grassy areas.

Natural Diet: Grasses and low shrubby vegetation.

Natural Behaviour: Nocturnal

Social Behaviour: Forms mobs of 10 or more animals with a dominant male.

Caring Notes:

  • Fairly common orphan to come into care
  • Not suitable for new macropod carers
  • Unfurred joeys should go to a more experienced macropod carer
  • They are very nervous animals and suffer from stress far more easily than some other macropod species.
  • They should be raised with other Eastern Grey kangaroo joeys to simulate their natural mob behaviour.
  • They remain in care for up to 8 months before going to pre-release where they will remain in care for a further 3-6 months.
  • They are the least likely species to survive through to release.
  • They are not suitable for people with children or large numbers of people in the house to raise.