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Discover the 73 Unique Species of Kangaroos: From Giants to Tiny Hoppers!

Wondering about the different kangaroo species? This comprehensive guide covers all 73 known species, highlighting the most significant ones.

How Many Kangaroo Species Are There?

There are 73 kangaroo species, categorized into kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, pademelons, tree kangaroos, rat kangaroos, bettongs, and potoroos.

Explore the diversity and unique traits of each group to understand their distinctions and habitats.

various kangaroo species

The Three Largest Kangaroo Species

Kangaroo species vary greatly in size. The smallest kangaroos reach up to 0.35 meters (13.7 inches), while the largest can grow to 2.2 meters (6.56 feet). Here are the three largest species:

  1. Red Kangaroo: The iconic red kangaroo stands up to 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) tall in adult males, making it the largest kangaroo species.
  2. Eastern Grey Kangaroo: Eastern grey kangaroos are also sizable, found primarily in the eastern regions of Australia.
  3. Western Grey Kangaroo: Western grey kangaroos, slightly smaller than their eastern counterparts, inhabit southern and western Australia.

These species represent the pinnacle of kangaroo size and are integral to the Australian landscape.

The Australian Classic: The Red Kangaroo

When people think of kangaroos, they often picture the red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus). This species inhabits the vast, dry central regions of Australia, far from major urban areas, making sightings in the wild rare.

True Giants of the Outback

The red kangaroo is the largest kangaroo species and the largest marsupial in the world. Males can reach up to 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) tall and weigh up to 90 kg (200 lbs), while females are significantly smaller, weighing up to 35 kg (77 lbs). Male red kangaroos have a rusty brown coat, whereas females are typically blue-gray.

Speed and Population

Red kangaroos can move at speeds up to 70 km/h (44 mph), though they usually travel at 15-30 km/h (9-18 mph). There are an estimated 11 million red kangaroos in Australia.

Learn more about their habitat and feeding behavior in our detailed article.

red kangaroo
Red kangaroo. Source: dnatheist, CC BY 2.0

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Eastern grey kangaroo spotted in its natural habitat at Murramarang National Park.
Eastern grey kangaroo spotted in its natural habitat at Murramarang National Park.

The Most Commonly Seen Kangaroo

The eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is often seen by Australians in the wild, particularly in the wetter eastern regions of Australia near major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Brisbane. They frequently inhabit green spaces such as parks and meadows.

Habitat and Adaptations

Primarily found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, parts of South Australia, and Tasmania, eastern grey kangaroos can survive in dry areas for extended periods due to their adapted kidney function. Their range has expanded in recent decades due to improved water supplies in the interior, thanks to cattle watering places, which they also use.

Size and Appearance

A majestic male eastern grey kangaroo standing tall in Murramarang National Park.
A majestic male eastern grey kangaroo standing tall in Murramarang National Park.

Eastern grey kangaroos are the second largest kangaroo species, with males reaching up to 70 kg (155 lbs) and females up to 35 kg (77 lbs). They have long, soft, gray-brown fur, which varies slightly by region. Males and females exhibit significant size differences.

Nocturnal Behavior

These kangaroos are nocturnal, resting in shady forests during the day and grazing in open areas at night. An estimated 11 million eastern grey kangaroos live in Australia.

For more details on their distribution, preferred food, and appearance, check out the full article

Western Grey Kangaroo

western grey kangaroo at Lucky Bay

Common and Widespread

The western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) is a prevalent species in Australia, inhabiting regions from southern Western Australia to western Victoria, and extending into Queensland. They avoid the central, hot interior of the continent.

Habitat and Range

Their range overlaps with that of the eastern grey kangaroo, and they are sometimes seen feeding together, though they do not interbreed. Western grey kangaroos have brown-gray fur similar to eastern greys, making them hard to distinguish.

Size and Appearance

Males can grow up to 2 meters (6.56 feet) tall, while females reach up to 1.7 meters (5.57 feet).

For more details on coat color, weight, and diet, check out the full article.

Medium-Sized Kangaroos - Wallaroos

Wallaroos are medium-sized marsupials, smaller than kangaroos but larger than wallabies, often resembling kangaroos closely. There are three main species of wallaroos:

Antilopine Wallaroo

Found in northern Australia, antilopine wallaroos prefer open forests and grasslands.

Common Wallaroo (Euro)

The common wallaroo inhabits a variety of environments, from rocky hills to deserts across Australia.

Black Wallaroo

The smallest wallaroo species, black wallaroos are found exclusively in the Arnhem Land region of the Northern Territory.

Each species has unique adaptations and habitats, distinguishing them within the kangaroo family.

Antilopine Wallaroo (Antilopine Kangaroo)

The antilopine wallaroo (Osphranter antilopinus) is among the largest in the kangaroo family, yet remains relatively unknown outside Aboriginal communities.

Distribution map of the antilopine wallaroo population in northern Australia.
Distribution map of the antilopine wallaroo population in northern Australia. Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Habitat

These kangaroos inhabit the sparsely populated northern regions of Australia, including the Kimberley in Western Australia, the Northern Territories' north, and Queensland's Cape York Peninsula. They favor flat areas with open forests and grassy terrain.

Characteristics

Males weigh between 50-70 kg (110-154 lbs) and grow up to 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) tall. Females weigh up to 25 kg (55 lbs) and reach 0.9 meters (2.9 feet). Males have reddish-brown fur, while females are grayish.

Distribution

Their population is divided, avoiding the range of the red kangaroo. A distribution map illustrates their distinct regions.

Common Wallaroo or Euro

common wallaroo - euro
Common Wallaroo or Euro. Source: Caroline Jones, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The common wallaroo (Osphranter robustus), also known as the Euro, has the largest range of any kangaroo species. It is divided into four subspecies, covering various regions of Australia. In the west, they are called "euros," and in the east, "common" or "eastern wallaroos."

Habitat and Range

range of common wallaroos (euros)
range of common wallaroos (euros). Source: Nrg800, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Common wallaroos thrive in diverse habitats, from rocky hills to deserts, wetlands, and mountains. They prefer rocky, hilly areas.

Physical Characteristics

Males can grow up to 1.9 meters (6.23 feet) and weigh up to 60 kg (132 lbs). Females are smaller, reaching 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) and weighing up to 30 kg (66 lbs). Their coat color varies by region.

Diet

Their diet is highly dependent on their habitat. For more detailed information, check out the full article.

Black Wallaroo

A black wallaroo in its natural habitat
A black wallaroo in its natural habitat. Source: Michael Wifall, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

The black wallaroo (Osphranter bernardus) is significantly smaller than the common wallaroo (Euro). With an estimated population of only about 10,000 individuals, they have a very restricted habitat compared to other kangaroo species.

Habitat

Black wallaroos live in Arnhemland, an Aboriginal area in the north of the Northern Territory, Australia. Their environment consists of open forests with grassy understories and tropical forests.

Physical Characteristics

Males weigh up to 22 kg (48 lbs) and grow to 0.7 meters (2.3 feet) tall, while females weigh up to 13 kg (28 lbs) and reach 0.6 meters (1.96 feet). Males have dark brown to black fur, whereas females have a lighter coat color.

Introduction to Smaller Kangaroo Species

In addition to the well-known larger species, Australia is home to numerous smaller kangaroo species. These smaller marsupials often have limited ranges and unique adaptations:

Quokkas

Quokka (Rottnest Island)
Quokka (Rottnest Island)

Fascinating Marsupials of Australia

Quokkas, scientifically known as Setonix brachyurus, are among the most famous Australian animals. These endangered marsupials reside primarily in Western Australia, with Rottnest Island near Perth being their best-known habitat. Early European settlers mistook them for large rats, hence the name "Rottnest Island."

Physical Characteristics

Quokkas grow up to 40 cm (1.3 ft) in height, with males weighing around 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs) and females approximately 3 kg (6.6 lbs). They have short gray-brown fur.

Habitat and Diet

Quokkas thrive near watering holes, feeding on grasses, herbs, leaves, and succulent branches. They obtain most of their water from their diet. The population is estimated to be less than 20,000.

Learn more about the quokka’s intriguing behavior and habitat here

Other species of the kangaroo family:

Notamacropus

Wallabia

Rock-wallaby - genus Petrogale

The following 17 species belong to Petrogale, the most species-rich genus of the kangaroo family:

Lagostrophus

The genus Lagostrophus counts only one species which lives relatively isolated on the islands Bernier and Dorre off Western Australia:

Lagorchestes

Nail-tail wallaby - Onychogalea

Dorcopsis

Species of the genus Dorcopsis live on the island of New Guinea:

Dorcopsulus

The two species of the genus Dorcopsulus live in the mountainous regions of New Guinea.

Thylogale

Macropodiformes

Hypsiprymnodontidae

Potoroidae

Macropodidae

Species
Marc, MSc

Marc, MSc

I'm Marc, a researcher and engineer with a deep passion for Australian fauna and flora. Originally from Europe, I fell in love with Australia on my first visit and have since made it my mission to delve into its rich natural heritage. I hold a Master of Science degree and am the founder of "Lucky Kangaroos", a platform dedicated to sharing detailed insights into native Australian wildlife.