Lexi Webster
The kangaroo is a symbol of Australia, appearing on its coat of arms and currency, as well as in popular culture. The Australian government estimated that there were 42.8 million kangaroos in commercial harvest areas in 2019. The largest species in the family Macropodidae are called kangaroos, while the smallest are generally called wallabies, and the intermediate-sized species are called wallaroos. There are several species of kangaroos, including the Red Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Western Grey Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Common Wallaroo (or Euro), and Black Wallaroo. Red Kangaroos are found across arid Australia, while Eastern Greys are found from Cape York to Tasmania, and Western Greys are found from Western Australia to Victoria. Antilopine Kangaroos live in northern Australia, while Common Wallaroos are found across most of Australia, and Black Wallaroos are restricted to the Northern Territory. Kangaroos can be spotted in various locations across Australia, including beaches, wine regions, golf courses, and national parks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Geographic Location | Australia and New Guinea |
| Population | 42.8 million in 2019, down from 53.2 million in 2013 |
| Habitat | Arid and semi-arid zones, grasslands, deserts, beaches, vineyards, golf courses, open spaces, trees, rainforests |
| Regions in Australia | Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania, South Australia, Cape York, Cape Le Grand National Park, Pebbly Beach, Kangaroo Island, Mungo National Park, Namadgi National Park, Flinders Ranges, Pemberton, Daintree Rainforest, Margaret River, Barossa Valley, Canberra, Noosa Golf Club, Anglesea Golf Club, Federal Golf Club, Hunter Valley Golf & Country Club, Nelson Bay Golf Club |
| Species | Red Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Western Grey Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Common Wallaroo (or Euro), Black Wallaroo, Swamp (or Black) Wallaby, Red-necked Wallaby |
| Physical Characteristics | Short hair, powerful hind legs, small forelimbs, big feet, long tail, incisors able to crop grass close to the ground, molars that chop and grind grass |
| Behavioural Characteristics | Social groups called mobs, strong swimmers, can reach speeds of 60kph, can clear more than 8m in a single bound |
| Cultural Significance | Symbols of Australia, appear on the Australian coat of arms and currency, important to Australian culture and the national image, featured in popular culture references, sports team names and mascots |
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What You'll Learn
Red Kangaroos are found in arid zones and deserts across Australia
The kangaroo is a symbol of Australia, featuring on its coat of arms and currency, as well as in popular culture. There are many species of kangaroo, but the Red Kangaroo is the largest living marsupial in the world. It is an iconic Australian animal, found across much of Australia's arid and semi-arid interior.
Red Kangaroos prefer sparsely wooded or open plains, inhabiting grassland, shrubland, desert, woodland, and open forest. They are most common in open savanna woodland. They are found throughout the semi-arid and arid regions of mainland Australia, ranging from western to central Australia. Their range encompasses scrubland, grassland, and desert habitats. They typically inhabit open habitats with some trees for shade and are capable of surviving in arid environments by conserving water and selecting fresh vegetation.
Red Kangaroos are found in areas with low, unpredictable rainfall, allowing them to breed almost year-round. They are strong swimmers and can comfortably swim short distances to access new pastures or avoid predators. They are known for their impressive leaps and strong legs, with large hind legs and feet that help them hop and cover vast distances. They are herbivores and primarily eat green vegetation, particularly fresh grasses, herbs, and shrubs.
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Eastern Grey Kangaroos are found from Cape York to Tasmania
The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is a marsupial mammal found in the eastern third of Australia, with a population of several million. It is also known as the great grey kangaroo and the forester kangaroo. The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is the second-largest and heaviest living marsupial and native land mammal in Australia. An adult male will commonly weigh around 50 to 66 kg, while females weigh around 17 to 40 kg. They have a powerful tail that is over 1 metre long in adult males. Eastern Grey Kangaroos are gregarious and form open-membership groups. The groups contain an average of three individuals, and they exist in a dominance hierarchy.
Eastern Grey Kangaroos are predominantly grazing animals, eating a wide variety of grasses and other plants, including fungi. They prefer to eat young green shoots high in protein, as dry grass is difficult for them to digest. They are mainly nocturnal and crepuscular, and are mostly seen early in the morning or as the light starts to fade in the evening. In the middle of the day, they rest in the cover of the woodlands and eat, but then they come out into the open to feed on the grasslands in large numbers.
Eastern Grey Kangaroos are protected by law in all Australian states and territories. They are among four abundant species that can be commercially harvested for export, but only by licensed hunters. None of these four species are threatened or endangered.
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Western Grey Kangaroos are found from Western Australia to Victoria
The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) is found across a large area of southern Australia, from Western Australia to Victoria. It is one of the largest macropods in Australia, weighing between 28 and 54 kg and standing approximately 1.3 m tall. This species is widespread and common, with a total population of around 2.3 million individuals.
Western Grey Kangaroos inhabit woodlands, open forests, grasslands, and coastal heathland. They are often found in areas near cities and on golf courses. These kangaroos prefer denser vegetation and are most active at dusk and dawn when they search for food. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, leaves, ferns, flowers, fruit, and moss. Western Grey Kangaroos are nocturnal and exhibit varying core body temperatures based on daily ambient temperatures.
Western Grey Kangaroos form social groups called "mobs," which are small family groups led by an adult female. Male kangaroos compete for dominance within these groups, and only the dominant male typically mates. During the breeding season, males engage in "boxing" contests, locking arms and pushing each other to display strength.
While Western Grey Kangaroos are numerous in certain regions, their populations may be impacted by the spread of agriculture and human habitat modification. They are considered a pest species in some areas due to competition for water pasture with domestic cattle and sheep. Commercial hunting of Western Grey Kangaroos is permitted in some states, and they are culled annually to prevent damage to pasture and crops.
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Antilopine Kangaroos are found in northern Australia
Antilopine kangaroos have evolved sophisticated behavioural patterns that are well-suited to the tropical climate of their habitat. They are highly social, often forming groups of 3 to 8 individuals, with larger groups forming during the wet season. During this time, they take advantage of the abundant food resources and are most active throughout the day and night. This is also when they time their breeding, ensuring that their young emerge from the pouch when food is most plentiful, maximizing their chances of survival.
The antilopine kangaroo is a unique species within Australia's ecology, as one of the few large macropods adapted to tropical environments. They are similar in colour and behaviour to the Red Kangaroo, which they replace north of about 19 degrees south latitude. Antilopine kangaroos overlap slightly with Eastern Grey Kangaroos in coastal northern Queensland. They are typically found in the Mary River area, Timber Creek, Kakadu, and around Katherine (Nitmiluk).
While currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the antilopine kangaroo faces challenges such as population decline in some areas. Their numbers are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Ongoing monitoring of the species is required to ensure its long-term survival and protect its important role in Australia's ecology and cultural heritage.
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Black Wallaroos are found in the Northern Territory
Australia is home to a diverse range of kangaroos, from the iconic Red Kangaroo to the lesser-known Black Wallaroo. While kangaroos are indigenous to Australia and New Guinea, the Black Wallaroo is unique in its distribution, being restricted to the sandstone country of the Northern Territory.
The Black Wallaroo, or Osphranter bernardus, is a small species of kangaroo, weighing between 19 and 22 kilograms for males and around 13 kilograms for females. They are the smallest of the wallaroos and are easily distinguished by their dark brown to black fur in males and greyish-brown fur in females. Black Wallaroos are not a gregarious species and are usually spotted alone or in pairs, unlike other kangaroo species that live in social groups called mobs.
This elusive kangaroo is found in a small, mountainous area of eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, specifically between the South Alligator River and Nabarlek, including Mt Brockman and Nourlangie Rock. Their favoured habitat has a monsoonal climate and they are commonly found in woodlands, rainforests over sandstone, and on sandy plains with grassy terrain. The soil of their habitat is shallow and interspersed with bare sandstone surfaces.
The Black Wallaroo is considered near threatened with extinction, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, mainly due to its limited distribution. Conservation efforts are crucial for this species, and a large proportion of their range is protected by Kakadu National Park.
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Frequently asked questions
Kangaroos are indigenous to Australia and New Guinea. They are found in several areas across Australia, including the Australian Outback, the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra, and the beaches of Western Australia, Queensland, and Kangaroo Island.
There are 71 species of kangaroos, wallabies, and potoroos in Australia and New Guinea. Some common types of kangaroos found in Australia include the Red Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Western Grey Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Common Wallaroo (or Euro), and Black Wallaroo.
Kangaroos are culturally and spiritually significant to Aboriginal people across Australia. They are also considered symbols of Australia, appearing on the Australian coat of arms, currency, and logos of well-known organizations. Additionally, kangaroos are important in Australian sports, with teams named after them, such as the Australian national rugby league team, "the Kangaroos."
While some smaller species of kangaroos are rare and endangered, kangaroos are relatively plentiful in Australia. The Australian government estimated that there were about 42.8 million kangaroos within the commercial harvest areas of Australia in 2019, down from 53.2 million in 2013.
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