Male Vs. Female Kangaroos: Key Differences

Kangaroos (Macropodidae) are a type of mammal known as marsupials. Kangaroos give birth to tiny, underdeveloped young, called joeys, which crawl into their mother’s pouch (marsupium) to continue growing, feeding on milk until they have developed enough to leave the pouch and fend for themselves. Kangaroos live in the forests, woodlands, and plains found in Australia and New Guinea, where their main predators are humans and dingoes. These herbivores have some incredibly unique characteristics, including the ability to jump high and far. The term kangaroo typically refers to the four largest: red (Osphranter rufus), Eastern grey (Macropus giganteus), Western Grey (M. fuliginosus), Antilopine (M. antilopinus). There are five key differences between female and male kangaroos, including nicknames, size, social behavior, pouch, and parental roles. Continue reading to discover more about these key differences.

What are Their Nicknames?

One difference between male and female kangaroos is their nicknames. Male kangaroos are generally called bucks, boomers, old men, or jacks. Females, on the other hand, are called does, flyers, roos, or jills.

Besides kangaroos, many types of deer, rabbits, and goats use the term buck to refer to a male and doe to refer to a female.

Size

Kangaroos show significant sexual dimorphism, with males being much larger and more muscular than females. This is especially noticeable in the forelimbs, of which the males are remarkably larger than females of the same species. Some species, like the Red Kangaroo, also display distinct color differences (males are often blue-grey, while females are reddish). These physical differences, including head size and muscle mass, facilitate male-male competition and mating success.

Male kangaroos can be up to twice as large as female kangaroos, although specific measurements vary among the different species. The largest Australian marsupial is the red kangaroo.

Male red kangaroos have a total length of five to six feet and weigh between 120 and 198 pounds. Female red kangaroos are significantly shorter at 3.5 to 4 feet and weigh between 40 and 88 pounds.

A kangaroo’s height is measured to include the tail; however, male red kangaroos stand about four feet tall, excluding the tail, which can add two feet.

Male Vs. Female Kangaroos: Social Behavior

One of the key differences between male and female kangaroos is their social behavior in a group, which is called a mob. Mobs have very specific roles that are related to sex. Male kangaroos typically congregate in bachelor groups, whereas females associate with other females. These sex-specific, segregated subgroups are not merely social but also serve critical functional roles within the mob’s community structure.

Male Social Behavior

Male kangaroos exist primarily in a group with other male kangaroos. These are called bachelor groups. Within the bachelor group, a hierarchy is created in which the most dominant kangaroos have priority for resources like food and mates. Lower-ranking males must fight to climb the ranks for better access. This behavior ensures that only the strongest, most dominant males secure mating rights and access to the best resources, allowing the fittest genes to be passed on to the next generation.
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Male kangaroos are responsible for defending the territory. They protect the area where the mob lives and ensure that resources are safeguarded as well. Thus, a strong hierarchy is necessary to ensure effective protection and defense.

Female Social Behavior

Female kangaroos live in maternal groups. These groups can be small or can include quite a few different females and their offspring. Joeys are born vulnerable and require attention and care. Maternal groups are collaborative but also have a hierarchy, with older, more experienced females taking on leadership roles. These dominant females lead the group during foraging and often have first access to resources.

Female kangaroos are responsible for group cohesion. They keep the mob connected and organized. Their role is to raise the young kangaroos so that they grow up healthy and capable of surviving on their own.

Do Male Kangaroos Have a Pouch?

The pouch is one of the most recognizable features of kangaroos, and a principal difference between female and male kangaroos. The pouch, called the marsupium, is where joeys live after birth. Newborns stay protected and nurse in the pouch for about eight months.

Only female kangaroos have a pouch; male kangaroos do not have a pouch and are consequently much less involved in the rearing of their offspring. Given the roles of male and female kangaroos, it makes sense that joeys are protected in the female’s pouch. Male kangaroos sometimes spar in ways that would put their young at risk.

Parental Roles

In relation to their social behavior, female and male kangaroos have very different roles when it comes to parenting. Female kangaroos take the primary role, carrying the joey in their pouch and providing nursing. A joey remains in its mother’s pouch for about 6 to 11 months, depending on the species; for red kangaroos, joeys typically leave the pouch for good at around 8 months, while grey kangaroos may stay up to 11 months. Joeys will leave the pouch for short periods before being fully weaned. Once the joey has left the pouch, its mother continues to protect, guide, and provide milk (from a different teat) for several months, teaching vital survival skills until the young kangaroo becomes fully independent and often joins social groups with other juveniles.

Male kangaroos are much less active parents. Because they neither carry nor feed the joey, the early months of parenting are primarily left to the female. However, males are the protectors of the mob and therefore play an important role in ensuring the safety of the joeys.

Male Vs. Female Kangaroos: Summary