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Australian WildlifeAustralia is continental ark of living oddities that broke away from the ancient continent of 'Gondwanaland', a massive landmass which millions of years ago split into the continents and subcontinents that we know today. The origins of much Australian wildlife can be traced back to these ancient roots. Drifting away out into the oceans by itself Australia and its wildlife became isolated, and so much of it has remained unique. Indeed, many of the major species of animals
and plant species are not to be found outside this country, as they
evolved after the
continent had split away (although there are similarities with the
wildlife of
South America and Africa). ANIMALSMAMMALS:Mammals are defined as animals having hair on their bodies and suckling their young on milk. In Australian wildlife there is a complete absence of many of the higher Mammals ('Placentals' or Eutherians') found elsewhere. However, there are many species of old mammals here that that live no other place in the world. In fact, we have over 450 species of mammals, of four different types. Some of these are: a. MarsupialsThis is the main group of Australian mammals. These animals that give birth to very undeveloped young that not fully formed. After the birth the mother then protects the babies by keeping them in a body pouch. This pouch acts like a warm nest, and contains the mother’s mammary glands that supply nourishment (milk) to the young.
There are also a range of marsupial carnivores.
The largest surviving example is the Tasmanian
devil, principally a scavenger but can be a vicious hunter, it performs
the same function as the European cat (the cat is a great ecological
pest in Australia). The larger Tasmanian tiger, about the same size as
a dog, is thought to be extinct...but who knows? There have been
sightings in recent years, and even a few blurred
photos... perhaps it is still there. Other marsupial carnivores include
voracious insect-eaters about the same size as a mouse - and as timid. b. Monotremes:These are among the strangest animals on earth: mammals that give birth by laying eggs, but when the eggs are hatched the young gain nourishment from their mother's milk via primitive mammary glands. There are two main species:
c. Placentals:These animals that give birth to live and viable young, who are capable of survival outside of the mother’s body. The young gain their first nourishment from their mother’s mammary glands. This group includes mice and man. Australian animals in this group are all relatively 'recent' immigrants, and include:
BIRDS:The earliest known evidence of an Australian
bird
comes from Victoria, where a few fossilised feathers have been
dated as 110 million years old (possibly a relative of Archaeopteryx?).
Other birds include the Bower-bird , which constructs intricate and decorative bowers of sticks, leaves and feathers, and then decorates them in different colours (each species chooses a different colour). This playground is then used to attract the female who (of course) is never allowed to live within its glory but must make do with her own nest the male constructs some distance away. Others among many types of bird in Australia include: a. Birds of Prey:These are the 'raptors' and hunting birds. They are to be identified by their forward facing eyes and a beak that curves abruptly:
b. Song Birds:
These birds come in many differing shapes and sizes, many with glorious colourful plumage, some are relatively plain so that they can camouflage themselves behind leaves and grass while singing. Here are some of the many species: Honey-eaters: The only birds in the world to have a hollow brush-shaped tongue, used to probe flowers and gather the nectar. Wrens: In Europe there is only species of wren but Australia has many types of this tiny bird. Some of the wren species are highly coloured and can be seen as a tiny flock of beautiful gems flitting through the undergrowth, while others are plain and carefully hidden. Butcher-birds: These bird live up to their name, by catching small song birds, and hanging them from thorny hooks near their nests. Despite their muderous habits, some like the Pied Butcher-bird, have beautiful song voices. Other song birds include the larks, the
finches, and especially... Parrots and Cockatoos: Kingfishers:
a group that includes Kookaburras or 'Laughing Jackass', frequently
heard laughing in groups at sunrise or sunset. REPTILES:Australia has a large diversity of these egg-laying and cold-blooded animals. This list includes: Crocodiles (Saurians): There are two species of Australian crocodiles:- The much feared 'Saltwater Crocodile' can grow up to 6m (20ft) and lives in the northern coastal swamps and estuaries - it is protected from hunters. - The 'Freshwater or Johnson's Crocodile' is somewhat smaller and less fierce, although it can still attack man if it is cornered or threatened in any way. Lizards: There are more than 300 species of this group, including the cute Gecko, many species of Skink, the Blue-tongue and Shingleback lizards, and the giant 'Goanna' (or Lace Monitor) which grows up to about 2m (6ft). Snakes: Australia has about 140 species of snakes, many of them being very venomous, including the northern Taipan, the Tiger snake of the south, Death Adders, the Copperhead Snake, the Red-bellied Blacksnake and the fearsome 'King Brown'. FISH:Australia has myriad varieties of fish, including the Queensland Lungfish which is a living fossil, and breathes with a single lung instead of gills. There are over 2,000 species of bony sea-fish (including at least 100 species of Sharks, several of which are dangerous to humans, as well as 50 species of Rays), and 180 species of freshwater-fish. Many species are edible including of course the Barramundi, a large tropical freshwater-breeding salmon, recently voted the best tasting fish in the world. Shellfish include oysters, abalone and crayfish. INSECTS:Australia has most insect species in
abundance: are about 110,000 species. We have 2,000 species of
flies (OF COURSE!), as well as 5,000 species of bees and many species
of beetles, butterflies,
and ants. There is also 2,000 species of Spiders, some of which are
extremely venomous such as the Red-backed and Funnelweb spiders (in
keeping with Australia's perhaps undeserved reputation for dangerous
animals - we don't have bears or lions). The giant termites build huge
hill-like nests up to 6m (20ft) high in the tropics. AND THE SUPER-WORM:
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