Flora and Fauna

Unique Australia 85% of Australia’s animals and plant species are endemic, meaning they do not occur naturally anywhere else in the world Australia is the only continent in the world that has all three subclasses of animals: monotremes (lay eggs), placental (have a placenta) and marsupials (have pouches)

Marsupials

Australia is home to the world’s largest concentration of marsupials- mammals whose young mature in a pouch When marsupials are born, they are not fully developed so they live in the mother’s pouch until they are strong enough to move around independently

Kangaroo

Koala

Wallaby

Wombat

Monotremes

Australia is home to two of only three known species of monotremes Monotremes are egg-laying mammals

Duck-Billed Platypus

Echidna (an anteater)

Fun Fact: The prickly echidna is shy and friendly Fun Fact: The prickly echidna is shy and friendly. The cute duck-billed platypus is Venomous and temperamental

These six animals exist no where else in the world in the wild

Types of Vegetation

Forest and Open Woodland Dominated by eucalyptus trees Can survive in drought conditions Come in all sizes, from tall shrubs to trees Can reach up to 90m Over 500 species of eucalyptus, only a few of which can be found outside of Australia

Dry Regions Dominated by acacia trees and shrubs Can survive in drought conditions Deep taproots draw moisture from deep beneath the Earth’s surface Small leaves limit moisture loss and shiny leaf surfaces reflect solar heat

Why is Australia so distinct?

Distinct wildlife and vegetation believed to be a result of physical isolation After the ancient supercontinent Gondwanaland broke up over 200 million years ago, the continents drifted to their new positions and a variety of new life forms evolved on their own in Australia