Australia Fauna
It is impossible to escape from Australian wilderness, Australia's very
distinctive fauna includes 800 species of birds of which 400 are found
nowhere else, 300 species of lizards, 140 species of snakes, 230 species of
native mammals, and 2 species of crocodile. These unique animals evolved
during the 55 million years that the continent has been isolated from other
land masses.
There are two predominant kinds of native mammals in Australia, the
monotremes and the marsupials. The monotremes are egg laying mammals; the
marsupials give birth to young in a very immature state which are carried in
a maternal pouch.
There are two kinds of monotremes; the platypus and echidna. There are
hundreds of kinds of marsupials, including koalas, wombats, and more than 50
species of kangaroo.
Isolation also allowed for the evolution of exotic birds. Over 400 species
of bird are found nowhere else, and the birds are as numerous as they are
colourful. They range from the tiny honeyeaters to the large, flightless Emu
which stands over two meters tall. There are 55 species of parrots in
Australia; an early map by one of the earliest navigators suggested the
Australian continent should be called "Terra psittacorum", Latin
for "land of Parrots".
Kangaroos
The Kangaroo is unique to Australia and New Guinea, its hind limbs are
longer than its forelimbs, it has a front opening pouch, and a large
muscular tail. A baby kangaroo is only partially developed at birth, and
must reach the safety of its mother's pouch unassisted. Kangaroos are
extremely social animals, and travel in groups.
Koalas
Koalas rarely leave their trees, and then it is only to reach the safety of
another tree. Koalas mature slowly over a period of three to four years,
once they are mature they are capable of reproducing every year. Despite
heavy hunting, disease, and the loss of their habitat, koalas, now
protected, are making a comeback.
Platypus
The platypus can only remain under water for two to three minutes before it
has to resurface. It is notable for its unusual appearance, and it is often
regarded as the missing link between sea mammals and land mammals. It
collects food from along the river-bed, and stores it in a pair of duck-like
cheek pouches.
Echidna
The echidna is a small monotreme, with a long slender snout, short-legs,
long spines, and sticky tongue, for the collection of ants. It is most
famous for its bizarre defensive manoeuvre of digging itself vertically into
the ground. The echidna lays its egg directly into the pouch, where it is
hatched, and the young is kept there until the development of its spines
Platypus
The platypus can only remain under water for two to three minutes before it
has to resurface. It is notable for its unusual appearance, and it is often
regarded as the missing link between sea mammals and land mammals. It
collects food from along the river-bed, and stores it in a pair of duck-like
cheek pouches
Emus
Emus are the world's second largest bird, and Australia's largest. They
stand 1.5m high and weigh up to 55kg. Flightless, they can run up to 50kph.
It breeds from April to November, laying six to twelve eggs. Their nests are
a circle of stone and grass.
Fauna in Australia
From glistening beaches to rainforests and outback plains, Australia's
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries offer stunning natural beauty and
rich Aboriginal culture.
Top Territory Parks
Australia’s Top End – the tropical Northern Territory – is
home to more than 20 wonderful national parks. There’s Kakadu,
Litchfield, Gregory, Katherine Gorge or Nitmiluk, to name just a few.
World Heritage Wild
Uluru
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is home to one of Australia's most popular
tourist attractions and best-known national symbols: Uluru, which means
'great pebble' in the Aboriginal language. Formerly known as Ayers Rock,
Uluru is a 3.6km-long (2.2-mile), 348m-high (1142ft) smooth chunk of
sandstone that rises abruptly and unexpectedly out of the sandy scrubland.
It is the world's largest rock monolith and the most famous natural landmark
in Australia.
The nearby Kata Tjuta, meaning 'many heads' and formerly known as The
Olgas, is a series of 36 massive rock domes and a system of gorges and
valleys. Visitors can walk through the Valley of the Winds and the Olga
Gorge, and also visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre.
