East versus west

Macropus, coming from the Ancient Greek meaning long foot, is a genus of kangaroo of which only 2 of 15 known species still exist. Commonly they are known as grey kangaroos and the existing species are the Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus), pictured left and the Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), pictured below. Until recently the Red Kangaroo was considered a sub-genus but has been determined to be sufficiently different to be its own group.

As the name suggests the two species have different ranges. The distribution for the Eastern Grey almost follows the north-south Queensland, NSW, Victoria border and all territory east. The range of the Western Grey extends across southern Australia but stops around the Victorian border and extends north into NSW. So there is overlap in southern NSW.

When photographed together it is relatively easy to tell the two species apart. The Western Grey is browner and smaller with a darker face. But if you a travelling in the Riverina and you see a roo the definitive test is that the Eastern Greys have fur over all their ears whereas the Western Greys only have fur at the base of the ears.

The challenge is to get close enough to tell (without running the animal over!)