1. Australian Wildlife

2. Wildlife Facts More than 828 birds 140 snake species
378 mammal species
More than 80% of the animals are unique to Australia (cannot be found anywhere else)
Doesn’t have any large predatory animals: Dingo is the largest
Other carnivorous animals include: numbat, quoll and tasmanian devil but those are no larger than a house cat

3. Marsupials More than 140 species of Marsupials
Distinct characteristic is that their young are carried in their pouch
Marsupials are SIGNIFICANT to Australia
Examples include: kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats

4. Kangaroos Powerful, hind legs, strong tail and small front feet
Due to their large feet, they can lead 30 feet in one jump (9 meters)
Can travel more than 48 km per hour
Tails are used for balance while jumping
Tallest out of all the marsupials (approx. 6 feet)
Live in Eastern Australia
Small groups or ‘herds – 50 or more kangaroos per herd

5. Kangaroos (cont’d)
Females spout a pouch in their bellys – hold their babies (Joeys)
Joey lives in mother’s pouch until around 10 months
Threats:
Humans
Dingos
Heat
Drought
Hunger (due to vanishing habitat)

6. Wombats Use claws to dig burrows in grassylands
Burrows can turn into complex tunnels
Wombats are more independent
Nocturnal
Vegetarian
Rodent like incisors that never stop growing

7. WOMbat

8. Koala bears Not a bear Mother carries her baby until 1 year old
Located in Eastern Australia
Sleeping up for 18 hours
Claws dig into trees
Eats Eucalyptus leaves – 2 pounds a day
Special digestive system

9. Tasmanian devil Black or brown fur Long front legs, short back legs
World’s largest carnivorous marsupial
30 inches in length
Weighs in 26 pounds
One of the most powerful bites in a mammal

10. Tasmanian devil (cont’d)
Solitary (alone)
Nocturnal
Use whiskers and smell to find prey
Eat everything!

11. Inland TAIPAN Most venomous (deadly) snake Found in cracks in dry land
Hides out in remote and rocky habitats
Highly toxic venom
Potential to kill an adult in 45 minutes

12. Eastern brown snake Fast-moving, aggressive, bad temper
Responsible for most deaths from snakes
Thrive in populated areas (farming)
Raises its body off the ground, winding into ‘S’ shape, mouth open, ready to strike

13. Saltwater crocodile Animal most likely to eat a human
Males reach feet and 1000 pounds
Lurk under the water until prey drinks a sip of water
Eat anything they can get their jaws on

14. kookaburra Symbol of Australia’s birdlife
Native to the eucalyptus forests
Beak can reach 4 inches long
Laughter like call
Loss of habitat threatening