Head to head
Western Grey Kangaroo vs Eastern Grey Kangaroo
The western grey kangaroo and eastern grey kangaroo are close relatives that look broadly similar and behave in much the same way, but a narrow overlap zone and one very distinctive difference help tell them apart.
| Western Grey Kangaroo | Eastern Grey Kangaroo | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Macropus fuliginosus | Macropus giganteus |
| Range | Southern Australia | Eastern Australia and Tasmania |
| Distinctive trait | Strong musky odour, especially in males | Male boxing matches for dominance |
| Habitat association | Mallee scrub and woodland | Wetter, more vegetated grassland |
| Coat colour | Slightly darker grey-brown | Lighter grey |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Grassland, forest | Grassland, forest |
Western Grey Kangaroo vs Eastern Grey Kangaroo: common questions
What is the easiest way to tell a western grey kangaroo from an eastern grey kangaroo?
Location is the most reliable clue, since the two species occupy largely separate ranges across southern versus eastern Australia, but the western grey kangaroo's notably stronger musky scent, distinctive enough to earn it the nickname stinker, is also one of the clearest differences where their ranges come close together.
Do western grey and eastern grey kangaroos ever interbreed?
The two species meet only in a narrow overlap zone where their ranges border one another, and while both are closely related members of the same genus, they are generally recognised as distinct species with their own separate populations across most of their respective ranges.
Do both grey kangaroo species behave the same way?
Largely yes; both graze in large social groups called mobs and raise a single joey in a forward-facing pouch, though the eastern grey kangaroo is particularly known for male boxing matches used to settle dominance, a behaviour also seen in the western grey kangaroo but most commonly documented in its eastern relative.