5 things you didn't know about Eastern Grey's
- Jules England
- May 5
- 3 min read
At Sunset Creek, our days often begin and end with the soft cry of a tiny kangaroo—usually because someone has decided it’s milk time again. Among all the wildlife on our sanctuary, the Eastern Grey Kangaroo is one of the most iconic, lovable, and unexpectedly quirky animals in our care.
You might think you know kangaroos. Big feet, jumpy, pouch. End of story, right? Not quite! These creatures are full of surprises—and if you spend enough time around them (like we do), you’ll start to notice just how complex, charming, and downright weird they can be.
Here are 5 things you (probably) didn’t know about Eastern Grey Kangaroos:
1. They’re Surprisingly Graceful Athletes (When They’re Not Falling Over Their Own Feet)
With the ability to leap up to 2 metres high and cover up to 9 metres in a single bound, Eastern Greys are like the ballerinas of the bush… with biceps. Seriously, their tails alone could bench-press a small wallaby.
But don’t let their power fool you—they can be hilariously clumsy, especially joeys just learning to hop. It’s not unusual to see one take a hop, trip on its own legs, roll, shake it off, and pretend nothing happened. Relatable, right?
2. They Live in 'Mobs'—and It’s as Chaotic as It Sounds
Eastern Greys are social creatures who prefer to hang out in large groups called mobs. These can range from a tight-knit group of 5 to a full-blown family reunion of 50 or more.
There's always a dominant male in charge (imagine a furry, muscular bodyguard who doesn't speak much), but despite the occasional boxing match for leadership, life in the mob is mostly peaceful—think lounging in the shade, grazing together, and the odd friendly nose bump. They're basically the chillest group of herbivores you’ll ever meet.
3. They Talk—But Not in the Way You’d Expect
While kangaroos won’t be giving TED Talks any time soon, they do communicate using a mix of thumps, clicks, hisses, and yes, even sneezes (it’s not hay fever—it’s a warning!).
Joeys call to mum with high-pitched squeaks when it’s pouch-time, and adults thump their feet on the ground to alert others to danger. One of our favourite parts of sanctuary life is watching the subtle body language they use—like a twitch of an ear or the slow raise of an eyebrow (okay, maybe not that one) to say, “Mate, I saw that, and I’m not impressed.”
4. Female Kangaroos Are Supermums (With Built-In Baby Bags)
Not only do female Eastern Greys carry their young in a pouch for up to 12 months, but they also have the incredible ability to pause their pregnancies. Yes, you read that right.
This superpower is called embryonic diapause. If a joey is still in the pouch and thriving, the mother can delay the next embryo's development until the pouch is free. It's nature's version of a "snooze button"—only more useful and far less annoying.
Imagine if humans could do that. “Sorry, this one’s still in nappies. Let’s circle back to baby #2 in, say… six months?”
5. They’re Gentle Souls—With a Side of Sass
Despite their muscular build and boxing rep, Eastern Greys are generally calm, peaceful animals. Our rescued joeys are (mostly) sweet, cuddly (especially during bottle feeds), and full of personality. Though there have been times when a tiny male joey has tried to assert his scary dominance! It's just hard not to smile at that cute tiny face!
That said, adult wild males deserve respectful distance. They're not aggressive unless provoked, but they don’t take kindly to people getting too close—especially during mating season when the testosterone is flowing and every bush becomes a potential stage for roo drama.
We always tell guests: admire from afar.
Eastern Grey Kangaroos are so much more than a symbol of the Australian bush—they're complex, social, and full of unexpected charm. From their powerful leaps to their quiet moments of connection, they offer a glimpse into a world that's both wild and wonderfully gentle. The more time you spend around them, the more you realise just how special they are.
And if you would like to experience a touch of nature and a glimpse of our world, don't forget to enter our amazing competition to win a VIP sanctuary tour. Because you have to be in it to win it!
If you’d like to do more, please consider donating to our GoFundMe campaign. Every dollar goes toward building our joey nursery and feeding and caring for these little creatures.
Got a favourite kangaroo fact—or a question about caring for joeys? Drop it in the comments below or share this post with your animal-loving friends.
Comments