Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) Fact Sheet: Distribution & Habitat

• Wide distribution in arid areas of inland Australia (Dawson 1995)
• Red kangaroos do not live north of latitude 14° S because the climate is too wet
• Range has increased since 1800 due to human activities (Tyndale-Biscoe 2005)
  • Irrigation and providing water for livestock (which kangaroos use as well)
  • Clearing woodland for livestock and agriculture (makes new open spaces kangaroos can use)
• Red kangaroos share habitats with eastern grey and western grey kangaroos in eastern New South Wales (Tyndale-Biscoe 2005)

• Preferred habitats: open grassy plains with scattered trees for shade and shelter (Dawson 1995)
• Other habitats used
  
  • Mulga and mallee scrub
  • Saltbush shrubland
  • Arid grassland
  • Desert
• Tolerate extreme heat
  
  • Temperature at one study site in New South Wales: 44.4° C (111° F)

Red kangaroos are found through much of Australia.

Adapted from www.d-maps.com according to IUCN fact sheet. Click here or on map for detailed distribution (IUCN).

Dawson (1995)
Tyndale-Biscoe (2005)