What is the largest kangaroo?

The largest kangaroo is the red kangaroo. Its scientific name is Osphranter rufus, and adult males are substantially larger than females, sometimes standing about 1.6 metres tall and weighing around 90 kilograms.

Red kangaroos live across much of mainland Australia, avoiding the wetter coastal forests and fertile southeastern regions. Their powerful hind legs allow them to travel efficiently by hopping, while their long, muscular tails help balance and support the body when standing or moving slowly.

The red kangaroo is also the largest living marsupial and the largest land mammal native to Australia. Despite its name, the species is not always bright red: males often develop reddish-brown fur, while females are commonly blue-grey, which is why females are sometimes called “blue flyers.”

A common mix-up is the eastern grey kangaroo, which is widespread and familiar around Australian cities. It can be very large, but the red kangaroo remains the largest kangaroo species overall. “Largest” usually refers to maximum body size, especially the much bigger males.