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Australia Animal Life

Australia wildlife is much more than kangaroos, koalas and dingos. Ask questions here about the animals that call Australia home.

500 Questions

Why did the desert rat-kangaroo become extinct?

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Asked by Wiki User

It is believed that habitat alteration by humans and predation by introduced cats and foxes caused the extinction of the desert rat-kangaroo.

However, it is uncertain whether or not the desert rat kangaroo is truly extinct. It was only discovered in 1843, but disappeared again just as quickly. It was rediscovered briefly in 1931 by Hedley Herbert Finlayson, Curator of Mammals at the South Australian Museum, but has not been seen again since. Some scientists believe that it is a very elusive creature which could still exist in the remote desert.

Why aren't Australians fond of rabbits?

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Asked by Wiki User

Many Australians like rabbits as pets, but one would hope that the majority of Australians recognise that the wild rabbit, introduced to Australia, is a pest.

The European rabbit has caused an ecological disaster in Australia. Rabbits eat the native vegetation which is the primary food source of Australian native animals. This loss of native food sources has led to the extinction of many Australian mammal species. Rabbits breed much faster than Australia's native animals, so competition for food sources is high. The rabbit has had a large impact on the bilby for another reason as well. Rabbits dig burrows which cause problems for the bilby's habitat, as they tend to cause the bilbies to be caved in.

Further, rabbits tend to eat vegetation right down to the roots, meaning that the plant cannot regrow, and revegetation does not occur. This can certainly lead to indigenous plant species being wiped out, along with the fauna. And because rabbits eat vegetation down to the roots, this means there are fewer low-growing shrubs and grasses to prevent erosion from wind and rain. This in turn leads to increased desertification.

Rabbits have caused huge problems for Australia's agricultural industry, wiping out entire crops. They also eat the food that livestock require, so this impacts on the health of sheep and cattle, especially in more arid areas.

How much does a Wobbegong or carpet shark weigh?

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Asked by Wiki User

Wobbegong sharks, natve to Australia, have a weight of around 70 kg.

What was the first non - native animal introduced into Australia?

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Asked by Wiki User

Some of the introduced species in Australia include:

  • cane toad
  • rabbit
  • hare
  • fox
  • horses, including brumbies
  • livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs, goats
  • camels
  • domestic pets (cats, dogs, guinea-pigs, canaries)
  • rodents - mice and rats
  • fire ant
  • European carp
  • cactoblastis moth
  • ferret (Tasmania)
  • dingoes came with the Aborigines, so both dingoes and people are, theoretically, introduced

Plants include:

  • lantana
  • prickly pear
  • blackberry
  • poinciana
  • jacaranda
  • all fruit and nut trees except for the macadamia and bunya nuts

What animals live in Asia and Australia?

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Asked by Wiki User

Animals which live in eastern Australia include:

  • bandicoots
  • Eastern grey kangaroos
  • Western grey kangaroos
  • spotted tailed quolls and eastern quolls
  • Tasmanian devils (Tasmania only)
  • brush-tailed possums
  • ringtail possums
  • gliders such as sugar gliders, mahogany gliders, greater gliders, feathertail gliders, yellow-bellied gliders and squirrel gliders
  • platypuses
  • echidnas
  • many species of wallabies

What part of Australia do crocodiles live?

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Asked by Wiki User

There are two species. The Estuarine, or Saltwater Crocodile which is the worlds largest living species, and the Johnstons Freshwater Crocodile.

There is also the Pygmy Freshwater Crocodile found usually in the escarpment areas of Arnhem Land, but tests indicate that it is the same species as the Freshwater Crocodile. It is believed it has much less food availability and is the reason it remains smaller.

What are some endangered animals of the Australian outback?

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Asked by Wiki User

There are many endangered animals in the outback. They include:

  • Gilbert's potoroo
  • Northern hairy-nosed wombat
  • Greater bilby
  • Southern marsupial mole

Is a wobbegong harmful?

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Asked by Wiki User

Wobbegongs are not known to have ever attacked humans. They are small sharks and do not eat large prey. On the other hand, people frequently eat them

How does a kowari adapt to its environment?

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Asked by Wiki User

A kangaroo has many features that have helped it survive in its harsh Australian environment. The Kangaroo has powerful legs that allow it to travel the necessary far distances with a minimal amount of energy. The tail is used for balance while bounding the 30 plus feet each jump.

During the hot summer months the kangaroo licks its blood vessel filled forearms in order to cool its body. The forearms act a radiators for the animal and the evaporating saliva only increases this effect.

The last major adaptation that the kangaroo has acquired is its ability to abort a fetus in the presence of a predator. The predator will take the free meal and allow the kangaroo to escape.

Are goannas native to Australia?

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Asked by Wiki User

Yes. Of the world's 20 or so species of goanna, around 15 of them are found in Australia.

What animals live in the Australian Capital Territory?

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Asked by Wiki User

The state animal of the Australian Capital Territory is the Gang Gang Cockatoo, gray and red cockatoo found in the higher altitude old growth eucalypt forests.

Are brolgas native to Australia?

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Asked by Wiki User

They are not listed as endangered, but with a status of "least concern" by the International Union of Conservation for Nature, or the IUCN Red List. They are of the Crane family, and had been called "Native Companion" at one time. The Brolga live in the north-northeastern region of Australia. They are known for their mating dance. For more details, please see the sites listed below.

How many types of birds in Australia?

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Asked by Wiki User

According to Australia's Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (see the related link below), there are currently 828 described species of birds in Australia, with another 27 introduced species. 13 species are now extinct.

What animals are in the savanna in Australia?

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Asked by Wiki User

Kangaroos are native grazing animals in Australia.

In addition, Australia has grazing stock animals such as cattle and sheep.

What animals are the top predators in Australia?

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Asked by Wiki User

The top native predators in Australia are the Wedge-tailed eagle, the Tasmanian devil and the various species of quolls. The dingo is a top predator also, but it is a relative newcomer, having been brought to Australia by the Aborigines several thousand years ago.

What adaptations do leadbeater's possum have?

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Asked by Wiki User

Leadbeater's possums don't glide, but they can leap from tree to tree in search of food. Like all possums, including those in the glider family, they climb trees using their sharp claws, and walk along branches.

What animal that is native to Australia eats the Cockatiel?

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Asked by Littlemisscello

The quoll, a carnivorous marsupial of Australia, will eat cockatiels.

Australian animals that live in trees?

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Asked by Wiki User

Australian native animals which live in trees include:

  • koalas
  • cuscuses
  • ringtail possums
  • brushtail possums
  • gliders
  • quolls

What are 3 animals that are not Australian native?

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Asked by Wiki User

Many animal species that have been introduced to Australia have thrived over the native species, forcing native species to retreat to less hospitable areas. Such introduced species include:

  • rabbits
  • hares
  • foxes
  • camels
  • water buffalo
  • feral pigs
  • horses (brumbies)
  • dogs

What are 5 Australian animal?

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Asked by Wiki User

There are a bunch, take your pick:

Kangaroo, Koala, Kookaburra, Platypus, Echidna, Wombat, Dingos, Tasmanian Devil, Tasmanian Tiger/Wolf (extinct), Emu, Water Buffalo, etc.