Okay, I'm not trying to attract kangaroos to my garden but I do usually have a small family group of Eastern Grey Kangaroos hopping passed my place (from midnight onwards) at this time of the year infrequently. Years ago they used to eat the grass on our back lawn, sometimes the front lawn. But as they travel passed my place they continue along Pelham Street, cross an intersection, to find green grass.
The kangaroos around here, in Winter, only seem to come in from the bush, to find the greener grass on the edge of the road. They are weary of traffic, and are probably scared of being hit when here before midnight.
I'm curious as to what else they might eat besides grass to give them something additional to munch on, on their travels to get the greenest grass. Any ideas?
P.S. This event may only occur 4-8 times a year passed my place. Other streets are more frequent (daily) during summer.
They probably eat the fresher grass shoots.
They would (sadly) not hesitate to jump out in front of cars though.
Not very street smart the poor old roos.
Kangaroos will eat lucerne hay I think, but they mainly like grass.
The Western Grey Kangaroos at my place prefer the feral pasture grass Cocksfoot Dachtylis glomerata above all else including native grasses. I suspect this is aiding the spread of the native grasses most of which get an opportunity to flower & produce mature seed. So the Cocksfoot acts as a decoy plant, I think.
Would a museum be any help, perhaps Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary up here in Brissis, they have roos everywhere, or even turf growers may know, or will know which one the roos like best. Though some of those answers won't be native grasses. Perhaps take some pics of the grass they like and it's seeds if possible, and strat from there. Maybe check out one of those "native grass" books from the library.
Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks
Thanks for the comments everyone and the info. I think it might be easier just to ask the kangaroos what they prefer to eat. HA HA I'll keep researching though.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
Eastern grey kangaroos are herbivores and predominately a grazing animal eating mainly shrubs and grass. They feed mostly at night and early in the morning.
Hi Shirley,
the eastern grey kangaroos at our place eat nearly everything I plant! It is a competition to see whether any trees or shrubs can even get established at times. Even plants like the native hibiscus which has lots of thorns, the roos chopped them down to the bare stem, I planted 80 of them, I wanted enough so they would full establish here, and lost a whole bunch to the roos, and even more to caterpillars and more to a fungal infection. I think I have about 20 left.
the roos tend to eat the softer grasses and herbaceous plants and have shown little interest in the courser native grasses I have planted.
Happy Birding!
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