# Eastern Grey Kangaroo (*Macropus giganteus*) The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is a large, hopping animal from Australia. They have strong legs and can jump very high! They love to eat grass and spend time with their friends in the wild. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Grey Kangaroo ![Eastern Grey Kangaroo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eastern_grey_kangaroo_dec07_02.jpg&width=800) Photo: fir0002 flagstaffotos \[at\] gmail.com Canon 20D + Canon 400mm f/5.6 L, GFDL 1.2 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eastern_grey_kangaroo_dec07_02.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Grey Kangaroo has soft, grey-brown fur, a paler belly, and distinctively large hind legs. Its long, thick tail is often dark-tipped. They are stockier and have a paler face than the similar Western Grey Kangaroo. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Diprotodontia - **Family:** Macropodidae - **Genus:** Macropus ## Interesting facts - A joey is born the size of a jellybean and climbs unaided into the pouch! - Kangaroos can move each of their big ears independently to listen all around them. - Male kangaroos 'box' each other using powerful kicks to compete for mates. - They are one of the largest marsupials on Earth and can stand taller than a person! ## Special abilities - **Leaping Locomotion:** Eastern Grey Kangaroos can cover huge distances with powerful hops because their large hind legs and elastic tendons act like springs. - **Temperature Regulation:** Eastern Grey Kangaroos can lick their forearms to cool down their bodies, using evaporation to beat the heat on hot days. - **Pouch Power:** Eastern Grey Kangaroos have a special pouch where their tiny, underdeveloped joey grows and is protected for months after birth. - **Tail Balance:** Eastern Grey Kangaroos use their strong, muscular tail like a fifth limb, helping them balance while hopping and even standing. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 180-240 cm - **Weight:** 20-90 kg - **Lifespan:** 7-20 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 36-38 days ## Diet & Feeding These big hoppers munch on grass and leaves to get all their energy! - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Herbs, Leaves, Shrubs - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Dingo (*Canis dingo*) — Dingoes are a primary predator of Eastern Grey Kangaroos. - **Eaten by:** Wedge-tailed Eagle (*Aquila audax*) — Eagles prey on young or sick kangaroos. - **Eats:** Kangaroo Grass (*Themeda triandra*) — Kangaroos primarily graze on native grasses like Kangaroo Grass. - **Shelter:** [Tasmanian Blue Gum](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tasmanian-blue-gum) (*Eucalyptus globulus*) — Kangaroos shelter under eucalyptus trees during hot days. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch kangaroos from a distance and never try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Grey Kangaroo? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eastern Grey Kangaroo? 180-240 cm ### How much does Eastern Grey Kangaroo weigh? 20-90 kg ### How long does Eastern Grey Kangaroo live? 7-20 years ### How fast can Eastern Grey Kangaroo move? 70 km/h ### What does Eastern Grey Kangaroo eat? These big hoppers munch on grass and leaves to get all their energy! ### Where is Eastern Grey Kangaroo usually found? Grasslands ### How does Eastern Grey Kangaroo hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Naturschutz-Tierpark Görlitz](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturschutz-tierpark-g-rlitz) — Saxony, DE · Zoo - [Zoo Neuwied](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-neuwied) — Rheinland-Pfalz, DE · Zoo - [Hibikinada Green Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hibikinada-green-park) — Kyushu, JP · Park - [Poppy Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/poppy-park) — Florida, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Eastern Grey Kangaroo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-grey-kangaroo) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Eastern Grey Kangaroo: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-grey-kangaroo)