The eastern gray kangaroo or giant kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is the second largest species of kangaroo in the world, only behind the red kangaroo, as they can reach up to 2 meters in height. These curious animals have many secrets and peculiarities. Are you staying to discover in this tab on our site the characteristics, habitat and diet of the eastern gray kangaroo? Keep reading!
Origin of the Eastern Gray Kangaroo
These marsupials are native to Australia, being more frequent than the well-known red kangaroos, although somewhat smaller but much more widespread throughout the Australian territory.
There are two species of gray kangaroo: the eastern and the western, differing in color and morphology.
Eastern Gray Kangaroo Characteristics
These kangaroos are some of the largest marsupials in the world, as there are some specimens that can measure up to 2 meters. With a weight in males of 50 to 66 kilograms, with marked sexual dimorphism in the species, as females barely weigh 17 -40 kilos
The color of its fur is pearl gray, being different between kangaroos that live in eastern and western regions, since they have different shades of gray, from dark gray to grayish earth tones.
Regardless of the color of their fur, these kangaroos have really strong and powerful legs, thanks to which they can reach great speeds. It has been recorded that they can reach 64 km/h and jump great distances.
Like all marsupials, they have a bag called a marsupium in which they put their young when they are born, there they suckle and finish developing.
Eastern Gray Kangaroo Habitat
Eastern gray kangaroos inhabit almost all areas of Australia. They are also found on Tasmania Island, Maria Island, and Three Hummock Island.
This distribution in so many regions is possible due to the great adaptability of these kangaroos, since they inhabit very diverse areas such as scrublands, mountain forests, subtropical forestsand even regions where there are farms. The most common is that they live in regions where there are frequent rains, although there are also populations that occupy arid areas.
Eastern Gray Kangaroo Feeding
Kangaroos are herbivorous animals that feed on almost all vegetation in the areas where they live. For example, they tend to turn to young grasses and grass, which provide them with protein and keep them hydrated. They also feed on the leaves of various plants, some fungi and some fruit.
The teeth of these animals are very well adapted to the food they eat, presenting molars capable of cutting grass and incisors that allow them to pull grass out of the ground.
Eastern Gray Kangaroo Breeding
The females usually get together, as they establish very strong relationships with each other. This is very practical when it comes to childbirth and rearing, in this way they are more protected from the possible dangers that lie in wait for them. Females are fertile from 17-20 months, males are not until 25.
They can mate at any time of the year, although most births take place in summer. In order to copulate, the males usually fight among themselves and only procreate those that are capable of defeating the other.
Gray kangaroos have a very special characteristic, as they are able to freeze the embryos inside them, which is called diapause, until the mother's pouch is free for the next kangaroo.
Only one calf will be born at each calving, it will remain in its mother's pouch until it is 550 days old, at which time it will be weaned and out of the bag.
