Western grey kangaroo

Western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) are found across southern Australia, ranging from western New South Wales through Victoria and South Australia to Western Australia. They prefer open forests, woodlands, and coastal scrub rather than the arid interior.

Adult males can reach up to approximately 70 kg (about 154 pounds) and stand over 2 meters tall when fully upright, making them one of the largest kangaroo species alongside the red kangaroo. Females are significantly smaller, typically weighing between 28 and 40 kg.

The scientific name is Macropus fuliginosus, formally described by the French zoologist Anselme Gaëtan Desmarest in 1817 based on specimens from Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Two subspecies are recognized: M. f. fuliginosus from Kangaroo Island and M. f. melanops from the mainland.

The western grey (Macropus fuliginosus) and eastern grey (Macropus giganteus) are closely related but occupy different ranges, with western greys in southern and western Australia and eastern greys in eastern Australia. Western greys tend to have darker, brownish-grey fur and slightly different facial features, though the two species can be difficult to distinguish where their ranges approach each other.