Macropod studies at Wallaby Creek. 5. Patterns of defecation by eastern gray kangaroos and red-necked wallabies

Abstract

Patterns of defaecation by free-living eastern grey kangaroos Macropus giganteus and red-necked wallabies M. rufogriseus were studied by following animals and recording defaecations directly. For both species, rates of defaecation measured in this way were higher than previous measurements made on captive animals. Eastern grey kangaroos rarely defaecated while resting, but did so often during the first hour or two after their midday rest period; females defaecated more often than did males. In both species, defaecations tended to fall in bouts, with two or three in fairly quick succession.