Australia's Wildlife

Wildlife

Australia's wildlife is one of the most unique and distinct in all of the world. It is often what invites tourist to visit the country.

Two tourist cuddling up to a Koala at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Queensland Australia.
Source: www.capricornia.com.au

Facts

The coming and going of Ice Ages didn't change the wildlife in Australia. In fact it helped the different species develop and become what they are today.  Australia is home to over 750 bird species, 300 lizard species, two different crocodile species, 140 snake species, and over 378 mammal species.

Australia has suffered a greater extinction of mammals, birds, and reptiles than any other continent since the beginning of European settlement. Extinction is also expected for more birds, reptiles, and mammals, as well as fish and frogs in upcoming years.

The wombat, wallaby, koala, echidna, kangaroo, dingo and platypus are the most well known animals of Australia.

Wombat

Source: blogs.unimelb.edu.au

Wombats are territorial, burrowing animals that prefer wet areas and could have more than ten burrows in its home. With small ears, a hairless nose, and long fur that can be various colors of brown to almost black sometimes they're known to be the largest burrowing mammal that is not spotted much in the wild. 

Wallaby

Source: www.cedarscottages.com

Wallabies are apart of the kangaroo group. They're known for their strong legs that can get them moving up to fast speeds, and help them jump great lengths. Also using their legs for protection during fights with other mammals. In addition to having strong legs they also have strong tails. A wallabies diet consist of mainly plants and grasses.

Koala

Source: www.animalfactguide.com

Koala's are often referred to as "koala bears" when they aren't  bears at all. Instead a Koala is a pouched mammal that lives in Eucalyptus trees in Eastern Australia where they spend most of their day asleep. If they aren't sleeping they're eating eucalyptus leaves where they digest most of the moisture from the leaves seeing as they aren't big on drinking water. The average life span for a Koala is 20 years.

Echidna

Source: www.animalfactguide.com

Like most mammals Echidnas use their snouts to find food. They are not territorial mammals at all seeing as they're found all over Australia including dry, arid, and rainforest areas. They are the oldest surviving mammal in the world today.

Kangaroo

Source: www.express.co.uk

Kangaroos are apart of the Macropodidae family. The largest Kangaroo is known to be the red kangaroo while the smallest is the musky rat-kangaroo.  A kangaroos diet consist of leaves, flowers, grasses, etc. Kangaroos are best known for not only how they get around using their back legs but how they carry their offspring in their pouch.

Dingo

Source: www.hdwallpapersn.com

The Dingo is known to be the "wild dog" in Australia. These mammals can either be found wandering alone or in a pack of no more than ten. Their communication skills are much like wolfs by howling at each other. Female dingoes only give birth once a year and their new borns aren't on their own till ages 6, 7, or 8. They live on a carnivore diet eating lizards, birds, fruits, rabbits, and plants. 

Platypus

Source: scienceforkids.kidipede.com

Even though they resemble much of a beaver, otter, and duck a male platypus is harmful. Male platypuses carry poisonous stingers on their back feet. Female platypuses actually lay eggs, and until their offspring can swim they care for them. Platypuses are about three pounds in weight and look for their prey underwater.









Sources:

"Australian Wildlife, Kangaroos Koalas Devils Etc." Australian Wildlife, Kangaroos Koalas Devils Etc. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2015.

"Australia's Animals." Australia's Animals. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2015.

"Common Wombat Facts | Course-haired Wombats | Australian Marsupials." Animal Fact Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2015.

"Wallabies, Wallaby Pictures, Wallaby Facts - National Geographic." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2015.

"Koalas, Koala Pictures, Koala Facts - National Geographic." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2015.

"Echidnas." Wildcare Australia. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2015.

Bradford, By Alina. "Kangaroo Facts." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 06 May 2015.

"Dingoes, Dingo Pictures, Dingo Facts - National Geographic." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2015.


"Platypuses, Platypus Pictures, Platypus Facts - National Geographic." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2015.