1. Flora and Fauna

2. Unique Australia
85% of Australia’s animals and plant species are endemic, meaning they do not occur naturally anywhere else in the world
Australia is the only continent in the world that has all three subclasses of animals: monotremes (lay eggs), placental (have a placenta) and marsupials (have pouches)

3. Marsupials

4. Australia is home to the world’s largest concentration of marsupials- mammals whose young mature in a pouch
When marsupials are born, they are not fully developed so they live in the mother’s pouch until they are strong enough to move around independently

5. Kangaroo

6. Koala

7. Wallaby

8. Wombat

9. Monotremes

10. Australia is home to two of only three known species of monotremes
Monotremes are egg-laying mammals

11. Duck-Billed Platypus

12. Echidna (an anteater)

13. Fun Fact: The prickly echidna is shy and friendly
Fun Fact: The prickly echidna is shy and friendly. The cute duck-billed platypus is Venomous and temperamental

14. These six animals exist no where else in the world in the wild

15. Types of Vegetation

16. Forest and Open Woodland
Dominated by eucalyptus trees
Can survive in drought conditions
Come in all sizes, from tall shrubs to trees
Can reach up to 90m
Over 500 species of eucalyptus, only a few of which can be found outside of Australia

17. Dry Regions Dominated by acacia trees and shrubs
Can survive in drought conditions
Deep taproots draw moisture from deep beneath the Earth’s surface
Small leaves limit moisture loss and shiny leaf surfaces reflect solar heat

18. Why is Australia so distinct?

19. Distinct wildlife and vegetation believed to be a result of physical isolation
After the ancient supercontinent Gondwanaland broke up over 200 million years ago, the continents drifted to their new positions and a variety of new life forms evolved on their own in Australia