Wallaby vs Kangaroo: Differences You Should Know

Wallabies and Kangaroos may share the same unmistakable family resemblance, but there is more separating them than size alone.

Both are marsupials in the Macropodidae family, with powerful hind legs, long tails and young that develop in a pouch. Look a little closer, though, and differences in build, movement, habitat and species can all help tell them apart.

The Wallaby vs Kangaroo comparison becomes much easier once you know what to look for, and the answer is a little more interesting than simply “one is bigger”. Here’s how they differ, where those differences come from and why the names themselves are not quite as clear-cut as they sound.

Key Differences between a Wallaby and a Kangaroo

The easiest place to start with the Wallaby vs Kangaroo comparison is size. Animals commonly called Kangaroos include some of the largest living marsupials, while Wallabies are generally smaller.

Their proportions can differ too. Kangaroos often have long hind limbs and large feet suited to efficient movement across considerable distances. Many Wallabies have a more compact build that suits manoeuvring through environments such as forest, scrub or rocky country.

Habitat can provide another clue, but it is not a hard rule. Red Kangaroos are strongly associated with Australia’s open and arid landscapes, while some Wallaby species live among dense vegetation or rocky outcrops. Other Kangaroos, including Eastern Grey Kangaroos, can also be found in woodland, forest and scrub.

Colouring varies considerably between species as well, so fur colour alone is not a reliable way to decide which animal you are looking at.

Key Differences at a Glance

Are Wallabies and Kangaroos Different Species?

This is where things become a little more complicated.

“Kangaroo” and “Wallaby” are common names rather than two neat scientific groups. Both animals belong to the family Macropodidae, a group of marsupials that also includes Wallaroos, Pademelons, Tree-kangaroos and several other animals.

The name Kangaroo is commonly used for several of the family’s largest species, including the Red Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Western Grey Kangaroo and Antilopine Kangaroo.

“Wallaby” is used for many smaller macropods across a number of different genera. That means there is no single scientific group containing every animal called a Wallaby.

So, is a Wallaby a Kangaroo? Not exactly. They are close relatives within the same animal family, but the names describe different groups of macropods rather than one simply being a smaller version of the other.

Main Characteristics of a Wallaby

There are many different Wallaby species, and that diversity makes it difficult to describe all of them with one set of characteristics.

Some live in forests and thick vegetation. Others are at home around rocky cliffs and escarpments, while species such as the Agile Wallaby can be found in more open country.

Size and Build

Wallabies are generally smaller than animals commonly called Kangaroos, although size varies between species and between males and females.

Their bodies tend to be relatively compact, with strong hind limbs and long feet. As macropods, their powerful back legs are central to the distinctive bounding movement for which the family is known.

A long, muscular tail also plays an important role in balance and movement.

Movement

The environments occupied by many Wallabies can demand plenty of manoeuvrability.

Rock-wallabies, for example, are adapted to rugged rocky environments, while other species move through forests, woodland or thick undergrowth. Their smaller size and compact build can be an advantage when navigating these more enclosed or uneven landscapes.

That does not mean Wallabies only live in dense bush. Habitat varies considerably between species, which is why it is better to use the surrounding environment as one clue rather than a definitive test.

Appearance

There is no single “Wallaby colour”.

Depending on the species, their coats can include grey, brown, reddish and sandy tones, sometimes with distinctive markings on the face, limbs, flanks or tail.

The Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, for example, looks quite different from an Agile Wallaby or Swamp Wallaby. Looking at several features together is much more reliable than using coat colour alone.

Habitat and Behaviour

Different Wallabies occupy a wide range of Australian habitats, from rocky country and forest to woodland, scrub and grassland.

Like other marsupials in the macropod family, female Wallabies give birth to extremely undeveloped young. The tiny joey makes its way to the pouch, where it attaches to a teat and continues developing.

Social behaviour also differs between species. Some Wallabies are more solitary, while others may gather or feed in groups.

You can learn more about Wallabies and the different species found across Australia.

Main Characteristics of a Kangaroo

Kangaroos include some of the biggest members of the macropod family and some of Australia’s most recognisable wildlife.

While the different Kangaroo species share several characteristics, there is still plenty of variation between them.

Size and Build

Size is generally the strongest clue when comparing a Wallaby vs Kangaroo.

The Red Kangaroo is the world’s largest living marsupial. Adult males can have a body length of up to around 1.4 metres, not including the tail, and weigh more than 90 kg.

Eastern and Western Grey Kangaroos are also considerably larger than most Wallabies.

Kangaroos have strong hind limbs, large feet and long muscular tails. Their body is well adapted for efficient movement, particularly when travelling at speed.

Movement

A Kangaroo’s hind legs and feet work together in a highly efficient form of locomotion.

Tendons in the legs can store and release energy as the animal bounds forward, helping Kangaroos move quickly while reducing the amount of energy required as speed increases.

At slower speeds they move differently, using their forelimbs and tail as well as their hind legs.

Appearance

Kangaroo colouring depends on the species, sex and individual animal.

Red Kangaroo males are often reddish or orange-brown, while females may be more blue-grey. Eastern Grey Kangaroos have predominantly grey fur, while Western Greys are often darker brown-grey.

So although Wallabies are sometimes described as more colourful than Kangaroos, the difference is not reliable enough to identify an animal by colour alone.

Habitat and Behaviour

There is no single Kangaroo habitat.

Red Kangaroos are strongly associated with Australia’s arid and semi-arid interior and occur across grassland, shrubland, desert, woodland and open forest.

Eastern Grey Kangaroos have a very different range and can live in woodland, forest, scrub, farmland and grassland. They often rest in sheltered areas during the day before moving into more open areas to feed.

Many Kangaroos are social and can form groups known as mobs, although group size and behaviour vary according to species, habitat and conditions.

Discover more about Kangaroos and what makes these Australian marsupials so remarkable.

FAQs About Wallabies and Kangaroos

Is a Wallaby a Kangaroo?

No. Wallabies and Kangaroos are close relatives belonging to the same family, Macropodidae, but a Wallaby is not simply a small Kangaroo. The common names are used for different members of the macropod family and do not represent two formal taxonomic groups.

What Is the Main Difference between a Wallaby and a Kangaroo?

Size is usually the easiest difference to spot. Kangaroos are generally larger, while Wallabies tend to have smaller, more compact bodies. However, there is considerable variation between individual species, so size is best considered alongside body shape, habitat and other features.

Do Wallabies and Kangaroos Live in the Same Habitat?

They can. Some Kangaroos and Wallabies occupy overlapping habitats, while others are highly adapted to particular environments. Depending on the species, they may be found in grassland, woodland, forest, scrub, rocky country or arid landscapes.

Are Wallabies and Kangaroos Both Marsupials?

Yes. Both Wallabies and Kangaroos are marsupials and members of the Macropodidae family. Female macropods give birth to very undeveloped young, which continue developing while attached to a teat, usually inside the mother’s pouch.

Members of the wider macropod family occur naturally in Australia and New Guinea. Tasmania is part of Australia and is home to several macropod species, including Eastern Grey Kangaroos and a number of Wallabies.

Can Wallabies and Kangaroos Interbreed?

Kangaroos and Wallabies include many different species, so there is no single answer that applies to every possible pairing. They are closely related, but different species have their own genetics, behaviours and reproductive biology. Natural hybridisation is not something that can be assumed simply because two animals belong to the same family.

Which Is Bigger, a Wallaby or a Kangaroo?

Kangaroos are generally larger than Wallabies, which makes size one of the quickest clues when trying to tell them apart. It is better not to use size as an absolute rule, however, because both groups contain species of different sizes.

Once you know the clues, the Wallaby vs Kangaroo question becomes easier to answer, but it also reveals just how varied Australia’s macropods really are.

From large Kangaroos crossing open country to Wallabies navigating rocky outcrops and forest, each species has its own adaptations, behaviours and place in the Australian landscape.

Want to meet some of them for yourself? Explore Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s animal encounters and discover some of Australia’s remarkable wildlife up close.