Australian Wildlife
An essay by Lillia Kolodyazhny
Did you know that some of the most unique and incredible animals live in Australia, animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world? Because Australia was isolated from the rest of the world for so long the animals adapted to live in the amazing environment. So, they became unlike any other animals. Australia is home to around 800 different species of birds alone. Australia also has more than 40 species of its most iconic animals, the kangaroo and wallaby. Australia has some of the most diverse and interesting wildlife found on our planet.
When you think of Australia you might just think of its famous and iconic creature: the kangaroo. You may also think of some other iconic and well-known creatures. The koala, the wallaby, platypus, echidnas, and many other popular animals. These animals help to make up Australia’s amazing and diverse wildlife. You have probably heard of the Australian kangaroo. The kangaroo is a marsupial, which simply means it is a type of mammal that carries its young in a pouch on its body. Baby kangaroos (called joeys) are born extremely small. They then travel up their mothers’ fur into her pouch, where they develop until they are fully mature. Koalas are another popular marsupial. Koalas are herbivores. They eat toxic eucalyptus leaves which are not popular among most animals. Due to their diet, koalas spend a lot of time sleeping, while their digestive systems processes and break down the poisons in the leaves. The diet does not provide much energy. Koalas have human-like fingers with an opposable thumb; these are designed to help the koalas cling to trees. Another prominent and strange creature from Australia is the platypus. This animal is best known for its strange appearance. Although this animal looks like a cross between a duck and an otter and even lays eggs, it is classified as a mammal. The platypus is only found in Australia. These iconic creatures of Australia are incredibly unique and amazing.
Although you have heard of the classic animals in Australia, there are many other fascinating creatures that are not as familiar but still deserve as much applause. Have you heard of quokkas? Maybe bandicoots or sugar gliders? Perchance you have heard of tree kangaroos. There are many wonderful creatures that would definitely steal the show if they were noticed. An example is the tree kangaroo. Although it's relative: the red kangaroo is infamous, the tree kangaroo is less known although it boasts of many interesting traits. The tree kangaroo is classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered. A study they did shows that the total population size of Golden-mantled tree-kangaroos is about 500 mature individuals. Tree kangaroos thrive in the trees which makes them different from the kangaroos that live on land. Tree kangaroos are also found in Australia. There are many unheard-of but amazing creatures in Australia. You just have to discover them!
Most marsupials in Australia are found nowhere else in the world. Marsupials are members of the Marsupialia family. They are mammals and carry their young in a pouch on their body. Many of Australia’s mammals are marsupials. In fact, Australia is home to two-thirds of the marsupials in the world. Kangaroos and koalas are marsupials. The sugar glider is an Australian marsupial. Its name comes from the fact that it can glide about 100 feet at one time. Other interesting Australian marsupials include quokkas, wombats, bandicoots, and the Tasmanian Devil. These are all marsupials that are native to Australia and the islands around it. Quokkas [ˈkwäkə] are well known because in 2013 they became viral after pictures of these adorable animals made their way to social media. The quokka was then dubbed ‘the happiest animal on the internet.’ Although these animals are famous unfortunately, their population is declining. They are endangered. Another adorable marsupial, native to Australia is the bandicoot. Bandicoots, unlike quokkas, have managed to thrive and populate despite Australia’s rapid growth and population. There are many interesting Australian marsupials.
Australia already boasts of amazing marsupials, but they have even more. Some of the reptiles that live in Australia possess awesome attributes. The thorny devil, for example, can shoot blood out of its eye! *1 This may seem far-fetched, but it is true! This native Australian lizard uses this trait as a defense against predators. Another reptile that can be found in Australia is the saltwater crocodile. Although I doubt it would be pleasant to meet him. The saltwater crocodile is the biggest crocodile in the world. They can live up to 40-70 years. This fearsome and aggressive reptile is not one you want to meet up with. Other reptiles in Australia include snakes. Unfortunately, venomous ones are common. Some of the most deadly include the Death Adder, the Western Australian Tiger Snake, the Black Tiger, Coastal Taipan, and the Eastern Brown Snake. Australia has an amazing array of wildlife and reptiles are only a part of it.
Imagine you are tramping through an exotic rainforest; the lush greens leaves around you do not muffle the many strange sounds. Suddenly as you step into a clearing a bird swoops up clearing his wings and soaring in the sky, he disappears out of your view, but you cannot forget the amazing call he gave before his flight. There are many birds in Australia but one, a member of the kingfisher family called the kookaburra is well known for its distinguished call. Listen here. His call is nicknamed the Laughing Kookaburra because it sounds similar to human laughter. The kookaburra is the largest member of the kingfisher family. Kookaburras are only found in Australia. Another bird that can be found in Australia, is the Cassowary. This colorful bird looks almost like a dinosaur. In fact, they are the closest living relative to the dinosaurs. Known as the most dangerous bird, in several incidents cassowary’s have dangerously attacked humans, and even killed a man. There are different species of cassowary from the dwarf cassowary, which is only about 3 feet tall, to the southern cassowary which is the world’s 2nd heaviest bird. Though cassowaries cannot fly, they can jump up to 5 feet, especially when in a fight. They jump and attack with their sharp claws. Speaking of colorful birds have you heard of the Rainbow Lorikeet? This lorikeet really lives up to its name. A rainbow from its tail to its brightly colored beak, this bird is also known as the Australian lorikeet, because it is only found in Australia. Australia not only has amazing reptiles, mammals, and marsupials, but birds too!
Australia has fantastic wildlife and unique creatures. We mentioned only some of the creatures in Australia. There are many more; so many you could spend your entire life studying and researching the wildlife found here. It is a common wish to live in Australia. To explore the great outback and to see all this great wildlife. It is remarkably interesting to learn about these animals. Australia certainly boasts of the world’s greatest library of wildlife.
-Lillia
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