Australia Animals

Australian Animals

Australia is home to a vast and diverse range of unusual native animals, due in large part to the country’s isolation.  In many parts of Australia, especially in more rural areas, these animals are not just confined to the zoo, and can be found in bushland, parks and even suburban backyards.

Kangaroos, wallabies and koalas – the rock stars of Australian fauna – are easily found in heavily wooded areas.  They are often quiet friendly and will not attack unless provoked; still, it is a good idea to observe from a distance.  Sadly, a great number of these animals are killed by motorists every year so always remain observant when driving through bushland areas.

Talking animals aside, Finding Nemo was based in fact – the Great Barrier Reef is home to many beautiful and unusual species of fish, such as clownfish, marlin, angelfish, gobies and wrasses.  The Reef is also home to some nastier creatures, like sharks, stingrays and the very venomous stonefish.  All these animals can be observed safely through certified dive schools and courses in the area.

The lyrebird is renowned for the peacock-like plumage of the male and the species uncanny mimicking abilities – there are even reports of lyrebirds mimicking mobile phone ring tones.  On the flip side, the Australian magpie is a ferociously protective creature.  During spring (also known as swooping season), the mother lays eggs and attacks any passersby who come too close to the nest.  For the rest of the year, the magpie is an inconspicuous scavenger.

From the strange but true files is the platypus, a chimera-esque, egg laying mammal with the bill of a duck, the tail of a beaver and the body of an otter.  When European settlers first happened upon this oddity, they accused the zoological society in London of playing a prank.  The platypus’s unassuming appearance belies the animal’s sharp claws and venomous spurs.

The Blue Tongue and Frilled Neck lizards are two of Australia’s most unique reptiles and are commonly found in backyard gardens.  Despite their thorny appearance, they are peaceful creatures who avoid contact with humans – unlike the saltwater crocodile, the biggest and nastiest of the crocodile species.  A large majority of crocodile deaths are the result of people ignoring No Swimming signs, so to prevent an unfortunate end, be very wary about where you swim – especially in far north Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Many Australian animals have developed protective devices in order to survive the tough Australian environment, so it is always best to look and not touch when coming into contact with these animals.