1. Exotic Animals of Australia:
How does the geography of Australia effect the animal inhabitants?

2. The kangaroo, one of Australia’s most iconic animals is unique to Australia. Why?
Today we are researching some of Australia’s most exotic animals. 

3. Fun Facts a huge variety of animals;
some 83% of mammals, 89% of reptiles, 24% of fish and insects and 93% of amphibians that inhabit the continent are endemic to Australia.
This high level of endemism can be attributed to:
1) the continent's long geographic isolation, 2) tectonic stability,
3)and the effects of an unusual pattern of climate change on the soil and flora over geological time.

4. Teamwork
Break into teams of 4-5 (according to your topic) and pick which animal you will research:
Koala * Spotted Quoll
Kangaroos of Australia *Emu
Tasmanian Devil or tiger *Goanna Lizard
Dingo *Blue-tongued lizards
Duck Billed Platypus *Short-beaked echidna
Animals of the Great Barrier Reef
Dugong *Wolf Spider
Sugar Glider *Weedy Sea Dragon

5. How does the geography of Australia effect the animal inhabitants?
What do you research?
How has the animal uniquely adapted to this harsh environment?
Physically
Socially
behaviorally
Where can you find this animal (map it!)
Does it have other closely related species in other places around the world?
How does the geography of Australia effect the animal inhabitants?

6. Short-beaked echidna
Tasmanian Tiger
Dugong
Sugar Glider

7. Blue-tongued lizard
Emu
Spotted Quoll
Goanna Lizard

8. Weedy Sea Dragon
It’s a shark!
Spotted Wobegong?

9. More Exotic Animals!

10. Bulletin Board Paper: Charts, maps (population density of animal),
Pictures (save to flash or folder)
Graphs, word webs
Bulleted points of information