Australian Wildlife

Wildlife Facts More than 828 birds 140 snake species 378 mammal species More than 80% of the animals are unique to Australia (cannot be found anywhere else) Doesn’t have any large predatory animals: Dingo is the largest Other carnivorous animals include: numbat, quoll and tasmanian devil but those are no larger than a house cat

Marsupials More than 140 species of Marsupials Distinct characteristic is that their young are carried in their pouch Marsupials are SIGNIFICANT to Australia Examples include: kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats

Kangaroos Powerful, hind legs, strong tail and small front feet Due to their large feet, they can lead 30 feet in one jump (9 meters) Can travel more than 48 km per hour Tails are used for balance while jumping Tallest out of all the marsupials (approx. 6 feet) Live in Eastern Australia Small groups or ‘herds – 50 or more kangaroos per herd

Kangaroos (cont’d) Females spout a pouch in their bellys – hold their babies (Joeys) Joey lives in mother’s pouch until around 10 months Threats: Humans Dingos Heat Drought Hunger (due to vanishing habitat)

Wombats Use claws to dig burrows in grassylands Burrows can turn into complex tunnels Wombats are more independent Nocturnal Vegetarian Rodent like incisors that never stop growing

WOMbat

Koala bears Not a bear Mother carries her baby until 1 year old Located in Eastern Australia Sleeping up for 18 hours Claws dig into trees Eats Eucalyptus leaves – 2 pounds a day Special digestive system

Tasmanian devil Black or brown fur Long front legs, short back legs World’s largest carnivorous marsupial 30 inches in length Weighs in 26 pounds One of the most powerful bites in a mammal

Tasmanian devil (cont’d) Solitary (alone) Nocturnal Use whiskers and smell to find prey Eat everything!

Inland TAIPAN Most venomous (deadly) snake Found in cracks in dry land Hides out in remote and rocky habitats Highly toxic venom Potential to kill an adult in 45 minutes

Eastern brown snake Fast-moving, aggressive, bad temper Responsible for most deaths from snakes Thrive in populated areas (farming) Raises its body off the ground, winding into ‘S’ shape, mouth open, ready to strike

Saltwater crocodile Animal most likely to eat a human Males reach 17-23 feet and 1000 pounds Lurk under the water until prey drinks a sip of water Eat anything they can get their jaws on

kookaburra Symbol of Australia’s birdlife Native to the eucalyptus forests Beak can reach 4 inches long Laughter like call Loss of habitat threatening