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Eastern Grey
Kangaroo
Photo: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey
BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
Eastern Grey Kangaroo:
Macropus giganteus
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This is the species that most people probably
think of when they hear the word `kangaroo'.
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This is especially true for most
Australians, as this species and humans share the same geographic distribution
in the urbanized south-east and along the east coast.
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And of course, the
television kangaroo "Skippy' was an Eastern Grey Kangaroo.
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As with many of the
other kangaroos and larger wallabies of this genus, most have done well with the
arrival of Europeans and the opening up of farm lands.
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Counts in the south-east
regularly result in numbers over a million, and it is only really in Tasmania
where the populations are low enough to be of a concern (Strahan 1998).
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As with
the other open range, larger kangaroos, Eastern Greys usually live in groups.
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Nevertheless, for a sociable animals, they tend to be fairly quiet, with only
the occasional harsh cough from threatened or aggressive individuals.
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Courtship
and sex is sometimes a complex affair, with fighting between competing males.
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Sex has been recorded at lasting up to 50 minutes in this much-watched species
(Strahan 1998).
Kangaroos and Larger
Wallabies: Macropus spp.
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This genus includes a large range of kangaroos
and the larger wallabies.
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A species of this group can be found in practically
every part of Australia, except in the denser forests, where the smaller
wallabies are more suited for the closed environment.
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This group is relatively
recently evolved (Archer et a12000), having appeared to take advantage of the
increasing open grasslands that appeared as Australia's prehistoric rain forests
receded with increasing aridity (White 1998).
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Much of their biology and behavior are
adaptations to these open, more arid environments.
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They are usually grazers,
with fresh grass shoots after fire especially favored.
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They usually rest in the
shade under trees or shrubs during the heat of the day, then come out to feed in
the more open areas during morning, afternoon and night (Strahan 1998).
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Their
efficient hopping locomotion allows them to cover large distances in search of
new food and water if necessary.
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Unlike many marsupials, the arrival of the
Europeans has not had an adverse effect on the populations of these kangaroos
and wallabies.
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The conversion of Australia's landscape for farming resulted in
both the clearing of forests, and thus the further opening up of the
environment, and the addition of watering points for stock.
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In fact, the result
has been a probable increase in numbers in these species, to the point where
many farmers see the increased numbers as a threat, and culling is a common
practice.
Script: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
Additional Eastern Grey
Kangaroo Photos
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