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FACT SHEET

Australia’s

Australia’s unique animals are one of the many reasons people visit our in Queensland. Observe them in the wild country. Australia has more than 378 species, 828 bird species, on Victoria’s Phillip Island and Yanchep National Park in . 4000 fish species, 300 species of lizards, 140 snake species, two crocodile species and around 50 types of marine mammal. The wombat is another creature you’ll find here – stout, burrowing animals that can weigh up to 36 kilograms (5 stones, 9 pounds). Again they are difficult to see We have 55 different native species of in the wild, but some of the best places kangaroos and wallabies. Kangaroos and are the Blue Mountains National Park and Australia doesn’t have large predatory wallabies vary greatly in size and weight, Kosciuszko National Park in New South animals, the dingo, or wild dog, is our ranging from half a kilogram (1 pound) Wales, Wilsons Promontory in Victoria, largest carnivorous mammal. Other to 90 kilograms (14 Stone, 2 pounds). The Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair in Tasmania, unique carnivorous animals include main difference between them is size — and in national parks in . the , and Tasmanian wallabies tend to be smaller. Estimates Devil, but none of these are larger than of Australia’s kangaroo population vary MONOTREMES the size of an average house cat. between 30 and 60 million. You should (EGG LAYING MAMMALS) easily be able to see kangaroos in the wild Dingoes are found all across Australia, in most rural parts of Australia. In Victoria Another group only found in except for Tasmania. Best places to see see them in Anglesea on the Great Ocean Australia is the monotremes, or egg-laying them are Queensland’s Fraser Island, Road and in the Grampians. Spot them mammals. The most distinctive is the Western Australia’s Kimberley and in South Australia’s Kangaroo Island and platypus, a river-dwelling animal with a across the deserts of the Northern Flinders Ranges. Get up close, in Namadgi bill like a duck, a furry waterproof body and South Australia. and Kosciuszko National Parks in the and webbed feet. Platypus live in Australian Alps, in Pebbly Beach in New are only found in Western which they dig into the banks of rivers. South Wales and Tasmania’s Maria Island. Australia; and apart from wildlife They are very shy and difficult to spot, In outback regions, you will often see them parks, you can only see Tasmanian but your best chances are in the eastern as they bound across the road. Wallabies Devils in the wild in Tasmania. coastal areas in small streams and quiet are widespread across Australia, particularly rivers. Good places to see them are in the Endangered are also difficult to in more remote, rocky and rugged areas. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve near Canberra, spot in the wild, but inhabit the wet Spot them in South Australia’s Flinders on Lake Elizabeth in Victoria’s Great Otway forests of south eastern Australia and Ranges, Tasmania’s Freycinet National National Park, Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain- Tasmania, and a small area of northern Park and in Namadgi and Kosciuszko Lake St Clair National Park and in northern Queensland. The bilby, a member of the National Parks in the Australian Alps. and Queensland. bandicoot family, may be seen in Francois The koala is everyone’s favourite, but Peron National Park in Western Australia. The echidna, or spiny -eater, is another be aware – it’s not a bear. You can spot monotreme, which has a long sticky koalas all along Australia’s temperate tongue and a prickly coat like a hedgehog eastern coast. Some of their top hangouts or porcupine – so don’t try and pick include Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, near Australia has more than 140 species one up! Kangaroo Island is one of the Canberra; Port Stephens in New South of marsupials, including kangaroos, best places to spot them in the wild. Wales and the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary wallabies, koalas, and wombats. FACT SHEET

BIRDS MARINE ANIMALS

Of the 828 bird species listed in Australia, Australia has more species of venomous Our marine environments support around about half are found nowhere else. snakes than any other continent, 21 of 4000 of the world’s 22000 types of fish, They range from tiny honeyeaters the world’s 25 deadliest in fact. But not as well as 30 of the world’s 58 seagrass to the large, flightless emu, which all are poisonous; we also have some species. We also have the world’s largest stands nearly two metres (6.5 feet) stunning pythons and tree snakes. coral reef system, the World Heritage- tall. The best chance of seeing emus listed Great Barrier Reef, where there in the wild is in , sclerophyll We are also famous for our crocodiles, are so many species of colourful fish, forests and savannah woodlands. both freshwater and saltwater varieties. including the beautiful clown fish,that Both the Kimberley and Kakadu you’ll need more than one visit to A vast array of waterbirds, seabirds and National Park are excellent places to see try and count them all. We also have birds dwell in our open woodlands and crocodiles in their natural habitat. around 1700 different species of coral. forests. Examples include cassowaries, black swans, little penguins, kookaburras, There are five species of endangered Larger marine species include the lyrebirds and currawongs. You can easily sea turtles which nest and lay eggs on migratory gentle whale shark, humpback, see penguins on Kangaroo Island in South certain beaches in season; and eight southern right and orca whales, the Australia and Philip Island in Victoria. species of freshwater turtle. Ningaloo dugong, numerous dolphin species and a Reef in Western Australia and Eco Beach number of shark species. Whales can be The Albert’s Lyrebird can be seen in in Broome are ideals place to see turtles. seen along the east and west coastlines Mt Warning National Park and in the from May to November. Ningaloo Reef We also have an amazing array of lizards, Gondwana rainforest around the Gold in Western Australia is one of the most ‘dragons’ and goannas (monitor lizards), Coast hinterland. See the more common reliable places in the world to see whale including the spectacular Frilled Lizard superb lyrebird in Dandenong Ranges sharks and a number of operators run and Bearded Dragon. The Kimberley has and Kinglake National Parks around tours to swim with these gentle giants. some 178 species of reptiles with the Melbourne and the Royal National Park Kangaroo Island is one of the best places more notable ones being the Frilled Neck and Illawarra region south of Sydney. to see Australian fur seals in the wild. You’ll also find them in Tidbinbilla Lizard and the ubiquitous ‘ta ta’ Lizard. Nature Reserve, near Canberra, Tower Thorny devils can be found in desert Hill in Victoria and a number of national habitats including Shark Bay, Carnarvon AUSTRALIAN ZOOS and Exmouth in Western Australia. parks along Australia’s east coast. Australia’s unique animals are a major Kookaburras, best known for their A variety of reptiles including bearded drawcard for international visitors; and hysterical, human-sounding laughter at dragons, perenties and blue tongue many zoos in Australia are among the dusk and dawn, are common, and you’ll lizards can be seen in Central Australia world’s best. Australia has both public most likely spot (or hear) them in the and Flinders Ranges in South Australia. and private zoos. Some Australian zoos countryside and often in city suburbs. showcase exotic species such as big cats and elephants; while others focus The Broome Bird Observatory and on Australian native animals and birds. Kakadu National Park are both Zoos and wildlife sanctuaries in Australia excellent place to view many species undertake vital environmental education of wetland and migratory birds. and research for the conservation of endangered animals. Many zoos in There are 55 species of parrots in Australia hold special events, ‘behind Australia, as numerous as they are the scenes’ tours and overnight stays colourful, including a spectacular variety which include close encounters with of cockatoos, rosellas, lorikeets, cockatiels, the animals. Here is where to see parakeets and budgerigars. They are koalas, kangaroos, wombats and commonly seen in rural and urban areas. Australia’s other amazing animals.