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Australian Animals
Bandicoot
There are several species of Bandicoot around
Australia, and although they can be seen during the day are generally
nocturnal. Bandicoots are small creatures only about the size
of a rat and eat small insects and plants. Several of the Bandicoots
around Australia include the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, which is
now rare around Australia and the Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon
obesulus) found in eastern and western parts of Australia.
Bilby (Macrotis lagotis)
The Bilby is a small nocturnal creature found
mainly in Northern Territory. They have large ears like rabbits
and eat small insects and various plants.
Dingo (Canis familiaris dingo)
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Dingos are found in various areas across
Australia, and unlike domestic dogs doesn’t bark. Instead
it makes a howling sound that is very distinctive. Dingoes
generally eat mice, rabbits and rats, although can also
attack livestock when hungry.
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Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
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The Echidna is a small creature, which
belongs to the Monotreme family and has a furry underside
with sharp spines on its back. Echidnas live in the dry
and hot desertland of Australia, as well as within the cooler
climate of the Australian Alps.
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Echidnas have a long beak with a sticky
tongue, which it uses to catch insects to eat. They grow
to about 45cm and can weigh about 4.5kg. As a form of protection
they quickly bury themselves in the ground, with only their
spines sticking out of the ground.
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Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii)
The Frilled Lizard is found in the eastern and
northern parts of Australia, living within the bush. The Frilled
Lizards frill normally hangs around its neck, and is made out
of a flap of skin. When threatened the Frilled Lizard will raise
its frill making it seen more dangerous.
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Goanna
Goannas are a type of lizard found in various
parts of Australia. They can grow to about 2 metres long,
and can be aggressive, often making a loud hissing sound.
The Perentie Goanna (Varanus giganteus) is the largest of
the Goannas, and is found in Central Australia. This species
eats meat, although Goannas also eat various plantlife.
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Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
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There are two species of Grey Kangaroo,
the Western Grey Kangaroo and the Eastern Grey Kangaroo.
The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is found along the east coast
of Australia, while the Western Grey Kangaroo is found along
the Southern section of Australia, from western Australia,
right over to New South Wales. The Western Grey Kangaroo
is darker than the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, and can grow to
about 2 metres high, although are commonly about 1 metre.
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Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
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Koalas are small bear like creatures
who live along the east coast of Australia, with their habitat
amongst the famous Eucalyptus trees. However, koalas only
like to eat a small percentage of the Eucalyptus trees found
around Australia.
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Koalas have hard black noses, with sharp
claws and a thick furry coat and can grow to a weight of
about 10kg. Most of their time is spent asleep in the trees,
which is the best place to see a koala.
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Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus)
Numbats are small squirrel like creatures, which
live in Wandoo Trees in South Western Australia. They have a distinctive
red fur coat, with seven white stripes.
Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
The Platypus has a duck bill, short legs with
webbed feet, and a beaver like tail, and belongs to the Monotreme
family. Males grow to an average of 50cm with about 1/5 of their
length made up of tail. Platypus live amongst Australia’s eastern
waterways, and spend most of their time in the water although
make burrows along the riverbanks. They mainly eat small crustaceans,
as well as tadpoles and worms.
Possum
Possums are found all around Australia, and live
in the Australian bush as well as around the suburban areas of
the cities. There are a wide variety of Possums including the
Grey Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and the Ringtail
Possum, which are both common around Australia. Possums eat a
range of plantlife, and find scraps of food to feed upon. The
Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps) is another species able to fly
from tree to tree due to a membrane connected to its front and
back legs.
Quokka (Setonix brachyurus)
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Quokkas are found in South Western Western
Australia and is a small creature similar to a Possum. They
generally stay in groups, and if used to people can be quite
friendly, and always after food.
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Quoll
Quoll are nocturnal creatures, which are Australia’s
native cats. They grow to about the size of domestic cats, and
spend most of their time in trees. Various species include the
Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) which can be found in Tasmania,
the Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus), the Spotted-Tailed Quoll
(Dasyurus maculatus) and the Western Quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii).
Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus)
Red Kangaroos are the largest type of kangaroo,
and live in the dry outback regions of Australia. They can grow
to about 2 metres high, and a length of about 2.4 metres. Although
the males have the vivid red colour associated with the Red Kangaroo,
the females have a lighter grey-red colouring.
Snakes
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Around Australia are seven different
families of snakes, with
the most common being the Elapidae family. The most deadly
snakes found in Australia include Brown Snakes, Copperheads,
Death Adders, Red-Bellied Black Snakes, Taipan Snakes and
Tiger Snakes. |
Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)
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Tasmanian Devils live on their own, and
come out at night to hunt for food. Tasmanian Devils eat
a range of small birds and mammals, as well as insects.
They have a black coat, with a small bear shaped head and
can grow to about 60cm long.
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Tree Kangaroo
There are two species of Tree Kangaroo in Australia,
which as their name suggests live in trees. Both the Bennett’s
Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus bennettianus) and the Lumholtz’s Tree
Kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) are found in the rainforests
of Northern Queensland, and grow to about the size of a cat.
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Wallaby
There are a number of species of wallaby
found in various areas around Australia. Several include
the Agile Wallaby (Macropus agilis), Brush-TailedRock Wallaby
(Petrogale penicillata), Red-Necked Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus)
and the Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor).
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Wombat
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There is a total of three species of
Wombat found around Australia, which live in the northern,
eastern and southern areas. These include the Common Wombat
(Vombatus ursinus), the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus
krefftii) and the Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus
latifrons).
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Wombats are solid round creatures, which
have short legs and small snouts. They use their front legs
to dig and their back legs to push. Wombats generally eat
various grasses and plantlife, and can grow to about 1 metre
long weighing about 35kg.
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