The forelegs are relatively longer in comparison to the hind legs than they are in most other members of the family Macropodidae.

The short, dense fur is smokey-grey above and paler grey beneath, with a yellowish patch around the single cloacal orifice.

[4] The gray dorcopsis is endemic to the southern and southeastern part of the island of New Guinea where it occurs at altitudes of up to 400 metres (1,300 ft).

[1] The major threats experienced by the gray dorcopsis are the loss of its forest habitat through timber extraction and conversion to small-scale agriculture and the fact that it is hunted for bushmeat.

Because of the hunting pressure on this animal, the IUCN believes the population is in decline and lists it as being "Vulnerable".