Native to eastern and southeastern Australia, as well as Tasmania, Eastern grey kangaroos inhabit a variety of environments, including grasslands, open woodlands, and forested coastal areas.

Eastern grey kangaroos are herbivores, mainly grazing on grass and shrubs. They are nocturnal feeders, usually foraging during the night and early morning hours. During the day, they rest in the shade of trees or in nests they dig themselves, known as scrapes.
Breeding occurs year-round, though more births typically happen during the warmer summer months. Males often compete for mating rights by using their tail as a balance and "boxing" with their hind legs to fend off rivals.
The young, known as joeys, are born after a brief gestation period of only 36 days. The newborn joey is tiny, weighing less than a gram, and spends the first 8-10 months in its mother's pouch. After this period, it begins to venture outside the pouch for short intervals, eventually leaving the pouch entirely around 10 months old, weighing about 5 kg.

Listed as ‘Least Concern’, the eastern grey kangaroo is widespread and abundant in Australia, with estimates of the wild population exceeding 11 million individuals as of 2010. In certain regions, overpopulation led to culling efforts to prevent overgrazing and preservation of the ecosystem.

The giant short-faced kangaroo, an extinct species, grew to over three metres tall. It, along with many other large Australian animals, vanished around 40,000 years ago, coinciding with the arrival of humans in the region.

At Fota Wildlife Park, eastern grey kangaroos roam freely, like the wallabies, but the two species do not interact. Both groups have access to separate areas that are somewhat secluded from visitor view. To ensure the safety of both animals and visitors, the park employs Animal Patrollers to ensure that visitors maintain a respectful distance from them during busy periods.