Australia's animal kingdom is truly one of a kind, and it's no wonder that it is often referred to as the "land down under." From the iconic kangaroos and koalas to the lesser-known venomous snakes and spiders, the animals of Australia are diverse and fascinating. We hope to give you a glimpse into the incredible wildlife that can be found in Australia. Whether you're planning a trip to Australia or simply want to learn more about the animals that call it home, there's no denying that Australia's animal kingdom is a must-see for any nature lover.
Discover Animals Native To Australia
Kangaroos are herbivores and are known for their powerful hind legs, which allow them to jump great distances. They are found throughout mainland Australia, and can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, woodlands, grasslands, and deserts. They are also known for their strong tail, which they use for balance and support when moving around. They are social animals and can be found in groups called mobs or troops.
Koalas are herbivores and are known for their sleepy demeanor and fuzzy ears. They are native to the eucalyptus forests of eastern Australia and primarily eat eucalyptus leaves. They are arboreal animals, spending most of their time in the trees. They are also known for their slow metabolism and long periods of sleep. They are also marsupials, which means they carry their young in a pouch.
Tasmanian devils are marsupials and are known for their black fur and powerful jaws. They are found only on the island of Tasmania, and are currently endangered due to a facial tumor disease. They are mainly nocturnal animals, and are opportunistic feeders, eating whatever is available to them, mostly carrion, but also small mammals, birds, fish, insects and reptiles. They are solitary animals and are known for their aggressive behavior and loud vocalizations.
Wombats
Wombats are marsupials that are native to Australia. They are known for their strong, compact bodies and their tough, cube-shaped feces. They are herbivores and primarily eat grasses, roots, and bark. They are burrowing animals, and can often be found in rocky outcroppings and dense brush. They are also known for their ability to dig extensive burrow systems.
Platypus
Platypus are semi-aquatic mammals that are native to Australia. They are known for their duck-like bill, webbed feet, and beaver-like tail. They are also known for their venomous spur on the hind legs of males, which is used for defense and territorial disputes. They are unique among mammals for their ability to lay eggs. They primarily eat aquatic insects and crustaceans.
Echidnas, also known as spiny anteaters, are monotremes, which means that they are mammals that lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young. They are found throughout Australia and New Guinea. They have a spiny coat, and a long snout that they use to search for their insect prey. They are solitary animals and are active during the day and night.
Saltwater crocodiles, also known as estuarine or Indo-Pacific crocodiles, are large reptiles that are native to Australia. They are known for their aggressive behavior and powerful jaws, which can exert a bite force of up to 3,700 pounds per square inch. They are found in the coastal regions of Northern Australia and can grow up to 17 feet in length. They are apex predators and can prey on a wide variety of animals, including humans.
Dingoes are a type of wild dog that are native to Australia. They have a distinctive appearance, with a tawny coat, bushy tail, and erect ears. They are known for their intelligence and adaptability, and are found in a wide variety of habitats, from deserts to rainforests. They are apex predators and primarily prey on small mammals and marsupials.
Kookaburras
Kookaburras are a type of kingfisher bird. They are known for their distinctive call, which sounds like loud human-like laughter. They are found in wooded areas and are known for their bright plumage, which is usually blue and white. They are opportunistic feeders, eating a wide variety of prey, including insects, reptiles, mammals, and other birds.
Possums
Possums have a wide variety of species, which can be found in different habitats, such as rainforests, woodlands, and deserts. They are known for their prehensile tails and grasping hands, which they use to climb trees and branches. They are also known for their thick fur and large, expressive eyes. They are omnivores and eat a wide variety of food, including leaves, fruits, and insects.
Bandicoots
Bandicoots are small to medium-sized animals with a distinctive long snout and large ears. They have a wide variety of species, with different size and habitat preferences. They are known for their agility and speed, and are primarily active at night. They are opportunistic feeders and eat a wide variety of food, including insects, fruits, and small animals.
Red-Bellied Black Snake
The Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) is a venomous species of snake found in eastern Australia. While its venom is not considered as toxic as the Inland Taipan's, it still poses a significant threat to humans and other animals. The venom can cause severe pain, swelling, tissue damage, and in some cases, death. The snake's venom primarily contains neurotoxins and myotoxins. The snake is a large and typically found in wetlands, swamps, and near bodies of water. They are usually not aggressive towards humans and bites are considered rare.
Bilbies
Bilbies are marsupials that are native to Australia and also known as rabbit-bandicoot or greater bilby. They are similar in appearance to bandicoots, but with longer ears and a fluffy tail. They are currently endangered due to habitat loss and predation by introduced animals. They are also nocturnal animals and have a diet similar to bandicoots.
Wallaby
Wallabies are marsupials that are native to Australia, and are closely related to kangaroos. They are smaller in size than kangaroos and have a more compact build. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and grasslands. They are also known for their agility and speed and are primarily active at night. They are herbivores and primarily eat grasses and other vegetation.
Quokka
Quokkas are marsupials that are native to Australia, and are closely related to wallabies. They are known for their small size and friendly demeanor, and are often referred to as the "world's happiest animal." They are found in a small area of Western Australia, and are considered a vulnerable species due to habitat loss. They are also nocturnal animals and primarily eat leaves and other vegetation.
Flying Fox
Flying foxes are a type of bat that are native to Australia and other parts of the Pacific. They are known for their large size and distinctive fox-like face, which is why they are called flying foxes. They have a wingspan of up to 5 feet and can weigh up to 2.2 pounds. They are also known for their strong sense of smell and their ability to fly long distances. They are fruit-eating bats and are crucial for seed dispersal and pollination of many native plants.
Flying foxes are also known for their social behavior, they can form colonies of thousands of individuals. They roost in tall trees or man-made structures like bridges or buildings. They are also nocturnal animals and are active mainly during the night.
Emu
Emus are large flightless birds that are native to Australia. They are the second-largest bird in the world by height, after the ostrich. They are known for their long legs, neck, and bill, and their distinctive brown and green feathers. They are also known for their strong legs, which allow them to run at high speeds, and their ability to swim. They are omnivores and eat a wide variety of food, including fruits, seeds, insects, and small animals.
Sugar Glider
Sugar Glider are small marsupials that are native to Australia and Indonesia. They are known for their ability to glide through the air using a flap of skin called the patagium, which stretches between their front and hind legs. They are arboreal animals and are primarily active at night. They are omnivores and eat a wide variety of food, including insects, nectar, and sap.
Rainbow Lorikeet
Rainbow Lorikeets are brightly colored parrots that are native to Australia and nearby islands. They are known for their striking plumage, which can be red, orange, blue, green, and yellow. They are also known for their loud, screeching calls. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, including woodlands, rainforests, and suburban areas. They are also nectivores, and feed on nectar, pollen, and fruits.
Eastern Water Dragon
Intellagama lesueurii, is also known as the eastern water dragon, is a species of lizard that is native to Australia. They are known for their green or brown coloration, which helps them to blend in with their surroundings, and their long tail. They are semi-aquatic and can be found near freshwater sources such as rivers, creeks, and swamps. They are also opportunistic feeders and eat a wide variety of food, including insects, crustaceans, and small vertebrates.
Galah
Galahs are a type of parrot that are native to Australia. They are known for their distinctive pink and gray plumage and their ability to mimic human speech. They are found throughout the mainland of Australia, and are common in open woodlands, savannahs, and grasslands. They are also known for their social behavior and form large flocks. They are also opportunistic feeders and eat a wide variety of food, including seeds, fruits, and insects.
Brown Tree Snake
Brown Tree Snakes are a species of venomous snakes that are native to Australia. They are known for their brown or gray coloration and their ability to climb trees and other vertical surfaces. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, including rainforests, woodlands, and deserts. They are also known for their aggressive behavior and venomous bite, which can cause significant pain and swelling.
Great Hammerhead Shark
Great Hammerhead Sharks are a species of large predatory sharks that are native to Australian waters. They are known for their distinctive hammer-shaped head and their powerful jaws, which are lined with rows of sharp teeth. They are also known for their size, which can grow up to 20 feet in length. They are apex predators and have a diverse diet that includes fish, crustaceans, and other sharks. They are also known for their intelligence and complex social behavior.
Australian Magpie
Australian Magpies are a type of bird that are native to Australia. They are known for their distinctive black and white plumage and their melodic, complex calls. They are found throughout the mainland of Australia, and are common in open woodlands, savannahs, and grasslands. They are also known for their aggressive behavior during the breeding season and territorial defense. They are also opportunistic feeders and eat a wide variety of food, including insects, worms, and fruits.
Silvereye
Silvereye is a small bird species native to Australia and New Zealand. They are known for their distinctive white ring around the eye and their green or yellow plumage. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and gardens. They are also known for their active and curious behavior, and their ability to adapt to human-altered environments. They are also opportunistic feeders and eat a wide variety of food, including insects, fruit, and nectar. All these animals are unique to Australia and have an important place in the country's biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Black Swan
Black Swans are a species of swan that are native to Australia. They are known for their distinctive black plumage and red bills. They are found throughout the mainland of Australia, and are common in wetlands, including swamps, lagoons, and marshes. They are also known for their graceful and elegant swimming and their territorial behavior during the breeding season. They are also opportunistic feeders and eat a wide variety of food, including aquatic plants, small fish, and crustaceans.
Superb Fairywren
Superb Fairywrens are a small species of bird that are native to Australia. They are known for their vibrant blue plumage, especially in males during the breeding season. They are found in a variety of habitats, such as woodlands, scrublands and gardens, usually near water sources. They are also known for their active and curious behavior, as well as their complex social behavior and vocalizations. They are also opportunistic feeders and eat a wide variety of food, including insects, spiders, and fruits.
Painted Turtle
Painted Turtles are a species of freshwater turtle that are native to Australia. They are known for their brightly colored shells, which can be green, yellow, or orange with red, black, or yellow markings. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, including rivers, creeks, and swamps. They are also known for their strong swimming ability and their ability to tolerate a wide range of temperatures and water conditions. They are also opportunistic feeders and eat a wide variety of food, including aquatic plants, insects, and small fish.
Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish are marine animals that are native to the coastal waters of Australia and other parts of the world. They are related to squids and octopuses, and belong to the class Cephalopoda. They are known for their distinctive flat body shape, and the cuttlebone, a unique internal shell which helps them control buoyancy. They are also known for their ability to change color and texture quickly and dramatically, which they use for camouflage, communication, and courtship.
They have well-developed nervous systems and can learn from experience. They are also known for their unique hunting methods, they can shoot out a cloud of ink to conceal their escape or to distract their prey. They are also opportunistic predators and eat a wide variety of food, including fish, crustaceans and other mollusks. Cuttlefish have a short lifespan, usually around 2 years, and reproduce just once in a lifetime before dying. They are also considered as a delicacy in some parts of the world, and some species are fished commercially.
Humpback Whale
Humpback whales are a species of large marine mammals that are native to Australian waters. They are known for their distinctive hump on the dorsal fin and their long flippers. They are known for their complex songs and vocalizations, which are used for communication and mating. They are also known for their acrobatic displays, such as breaching, tail slapping, and pectoral fin slapping. Humpback whales are also known for their seasonal migration, traveling thousands of miles between their feeding grounds in the Antarctic and their breeding grounds in the tropical waters of Australia. They are also opportunistic feeders and eat a wide variety of food, including krill, plankton, and small fish.
Great White Shark
Great White Sharks are a species of large predatory sharks that are native to Australian waters. They are known for their distinctive white coloration and their powerful jaws, which are lined with rows of sharp teeth. They are also known for their size, which can grow up to 21 feet in length. They are apex predators and have a diverse diet that includes fish, seals, dolphins, sea lions, and even other sharks. They are also known for their intelligence and complex social behavior.
Inland Taipan
The Inland Taipan, also known as the "Fierce Snake" or "Fierce Poison," is a highly venomous snake native to Australia. It is considered the most venomous snake in the world, with a venom that is highly toxic to mammals, including humans. The Inland Taipan's venom is a potent mixture of neurotoxins and coagulants, which can cause paralysis, kidney failure, and death if left untreated. The snake is reclusive and typically found in remote, arid regions of Australia, and bites are extremely rare.