Western grey kangaroo
Western grey kangaroo[1] | |
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Male | |
Female with joey | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
Order: | Diprotodontia |
Family: | Macropodidae |
Genus: | Macropus |
Species: | M. fuliginosus
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Binomial name | |
Macropus fuliginosus Desmarest, 1817
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Western grey kangaroo range |
The western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus), also referred to as a western grey giant kangaroo, black-faced kangaroo, mallee kangaroo, sooty kangaroo and (when referring to the
.Taxonomy
Long known to the
The western grey kangaroo is not found in the north or the far southeast of Australia, and the eastern grey does not extend beyond the New South Wales–South Australia border, but the two species are both common in the Murray–Darling basin area. They never interbreed in the wild, although it has proved possible to produce hybrids between eastern grey females and western grey males in captivity.
Subspecies
There are two subspecies:
- Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus (commonly known as the Kangaroo Island western grey kangaroo or simply Kangaroo Island grey kangaroo) is endemic to Kangaroo Island, South Australia
- Macropus fuliginosus melanops has a range of different forms that intergrade clinally from west to east.
Description
The western grey kangaroo is one of the largest macropods in Australia. It weighs 28–54 kg (62–120 lb) and its length is 0.84–1.1 m (2 ft 9 in – 3 ft 7 in) with a 0.80–1.0 m (2 ft 7 in – 3 ft 3 in) tail, standing approximately 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) tall.[7] It exhibits sexual dimorphism with the male up to twice the size of female. It has thick, coarse fur with colour ranging from pale grey to brown; its throat, chest and belly have a paler colour.[8]
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family of Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island
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hopping, Kangaroo Island
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tracks atVictoria
This species is difficult to distinguish from its sibling species, the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus). However, the western grey kangaroo has darker grey-brown fur, darker colouration around the head, and sometimes has a blackish patch around the elbow.[9]
Ecology and behaviour
Diet
It feeds at night, mainly on grasses and forbs but also on leafy shrubs and low trees.[10] It has a nickname "stinker" because mature males have a distinctive curry-like odour.[11]
Thermoregulation
The western grey kangaroo is a nocturnal species that varies its core body temperature based on daily ambient temperatures. The kangaroo's lowest daily core body temperature occurs mid-morning. In the summer, this was 2.2 °C (4 °F) lower than during cooler spring days.[12] This reduced summer body temperature is thought to allow the species to conserve energy during a time when food availability is low.
Reproduction and development
The western grey kangaroo lives in groups of up to 15, and the males compete for females during the breeding season.
The western grey kangaroo is closely related to the eastern grey kangaroo (M. giganteus), and their distribution overlaps extensively, especially in the Murray–Darling basin. However, the two species interbreed only rarely in the wild. Although hybridisation occurs in both directions in the overlap zone between the two species, this does not seem to be the case with captive animals. Although interbreeding between the two species does occasionally occur in captive animals, viable offspring are only produced when the mating pair consists of a female eastern grey kangaroo and a male western grey kangaroo. This is an example of unidirectional hybridisation.[14]
Relationship with humans
The western grey kangaroo is classified as
Though the feeding habits of M. fuliginosus can be problematic for agriculture, it is protected and controlled exclusively by the state faunal authorities.[13] Because it is considered a competitor for water and pasture by ranchers, this species is considered a pest in some areas. To limit agricultural damage, kangaroo culling has been allowed under license every year.[15]
Commercial hunting for meat and skin also allowed under regulation, with skins providing a high-quality, long-lasting leather. About 40% of harvested meat is used for human consumption; leather is used as a material for handbags, briefcases, and belts.[15]
Commercial hunting is permitted in New South Wales, mainland South Australia, and Western Australia, but prohibited in Tasmania, Northern Territory and Kangaroo Island.[15]
References
- OCLC 62265494.
- ^ . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?sId=6981[dead link]
- ^ "Western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus)". ARKive. Bristol, United Kingdom: Wildscreen. 2015. Archived from the original on 2013-12-22. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
- ^ ISSN 0370-2774.
- ^ ISSN 1446-5698. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
- ^ Menkhorst, P & Knight, F 2001, A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
- ^ ISBN 0-7566-1634-4.
- ISBN 978-0801482625.
- ^ "Macropus fuliginosus (Western gray kangaroo)". Animal Diversity Web.
- ^ "Guide to the kangaroos of Fowlers Gap" (PDF). The University of New South Wales. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-19. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
- S2CID 10638660. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
- ^ a b c "Western gray kangaroo". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
- ISBN 978-0643106253.
- ^ a b c d "Western Gray Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) Fact Sheet: Summary". San Diego Zoo Global Library. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "Macropod quotas and harvest for commercial harvest areas in NSW, QLD, SA and WA - 2020" (PDF). Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Australian Government. Retrieved 5 December 2022.