Damon Mcknight
Australia is known for its diverse wildlife, with between 200,000 and 300,000 species, including 250 species of native mammals, 550 species of birds, 680 species of reptiles, 190 species of frogs, and over 2,000 species of marine and freshwater fish. While the country has a wide range of animals, the discussion of domesticated animals in Australia often revolves around the Aboriginal Australian practice of manipulating the environment to suit their needs, which can be considered a form of domestication. For example, the Aboriginal Australian practice of fire-stick farming creates an ideal habitat for kangaroos, and the Dhauwurd Wurrung people's management of eels through aquaculture has led to the argument that the short-finned eel is a domesticated animal in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of species in Australia | 200,000-300,000 |
| Number of described species | 100,000 |
| Number of native mammal species | 250 |
| Number of land and aquatic bird species | 550 |
| Number of reptile species | 680 |
| Number of frog species | 190 |
| Number of marine and freshwater fish species | 2,000+ |
| Number of invertebrate species | Not specified |
| Number of insect species | Not specified |
| Examples of native animals | Koala, kangaroo, wombat, dingo, wallaby, platypus, echidna, kookaburra, laughing kookaburra, numbat, Tasmanian devil, emu, cassowary, agile wallaby, Amitermes meridionalis |
| Examples of dangerous animals | Saltwater crocodile, taipans, smooth snakes, tiger snakes, brown snakes, death adders, funnel-web spider, red-back spider |
| Examples of commercially useful animals | Not specified |
| Examples of domesticated animals | Short-finned eel, cassowary (semi-domesticated) |
| Examples of animals that could have been domesticated | Camels, horses |
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What You'll Learn
Aboriginal Australians practised fire-stick farming
Fire-stick farming was a form of resource management and land management that helped promote ecological health and reduce the risk of wildfires. By burning vegetation, Aboriginal Australians could modify the natural environment to create ideal habitats for certain animals, such as kangaroos. This practice essentially imprisoned the kangaroo inside its own mind, as it manipulated the kangaroo's natural preferences without the need for physical enclosures.
The term "fire-stick farming" was coined by Australian archaeologist Rhys Jones in 1969. While the practice had been discontinued in many parts of Australia, it has been reintroduced in the 21st century by custodians from areas where it remains a continuous tradition, such as the Noongar peoples' cold fire.
Some researchers, such as Flannery, argue that Aboriginal fire practices caused environmental changes, including the extinction of megafauna and the increase in vegetation fuel loads, leading to larger and hotter fires. However, others, like Horton, suggest that Aboriginal burning had little impact on the environment and that plant and animal distribution would have been largely the same without human influence.
The reintroduction of cultural burning in parts of Australia has been integrated with modern fire-prevention strategies, and state investment in Indigenous fire planning strategies has been most prominent in northern Australia.
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The short-finned eel is a true domesticated animal
Australia has a diverse range of animal life, with between 200,000 and 300,000 species. While kangaroos and dingoes are not typically considered domesticated animals, there is evidence that Aboriginal Australians had farming societies and practised animal husbandry. One example of a domesticated animal in Australia is the short-finned eel.
Short-finned eels are native to Australia and New Zealand, and they are particularly prevalent in the coastal river systems of southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the larger Bass Strait islands. They are also found in the area on the seaward side of the Great Dividing Range, from Mount Gambier in South Australia up to the Richmond River in northern New South Wales. These eels have a fascinating life cycle and play an important ecological role.
The Gunditjmara people of western Victoria, Australia, developed extensive systems of aquaculture to farm short-finned eels, dating back at least 7,000 years. The eels were known as "kooyang" in the Gunditjmara language and were a valuable food source. The largest of these aquaculture lakes, Budj Bim, has been recognised as a world wonder. The Dhauwurd Wurrung (also known as Gunditjmara) people's effective management of eel populations allowed them to live in permanent settlements, much like traditional farmers.
Short-finned eels are carnivorous and ferocious predators, consuming crustaceans, fish, frogs, birds, snakes, and Australian native water rats (rakali). They are catadromous, meaning that when they reach maturity, they stop feeding and migrate downstream to the sea to spawn. The spawning location is believed to be the Coral Sea, with recent studies tracking eels travelling over 2,600 kilometres to this area. The larval stage of the eel is known as "leptocephali" or "glass eel", during which they are transparent and lack colour. These larvae are carried south by the East Australian Current and eventually metamorphose into the traditional eel shape.
The short-finned eel is considered a true domesticated animal due to the active human intervention in its breeding and life cycle by the Gunditjmara people. By farming and selectively breeding larger, meatier eels, humans have significantly influenced the reproduction and care of this species. This intervention has led to a mutually beneficial relationship, with the eels providing a stable food source and enabling sedentary lifestyles for the local communities.
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The cassowary is semi-domesticated
Australia is known for its diverse wildlife, with a wide range of animal species inhabiting its varied ecosystems. While the country has several dangerous animals, it is also home to some semi-domesticated creatures. One such example is the cassowary, a large flightless bird native to Northern Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands.
The cassowary is considered the world's deadliest bird and is known for its aggressive behaviour and powerful legs and claws, which can cause significant harm to humans and other animals. Despite this reputation, there is evidence suggesting that the cassowary has been partially domesticated by humans, particularly in New Guinea and Northern Australia.
New Guinea Highlands societies have been known to capture cassowary chicks and raise them as semi-tame poultry, utilising them for ceremonial gift exchanges and as a food source. The Maring people of Kundagai, for example, sacrificed cassowaries as part of specific rituals, while the Kalam people considered themselves related to cassowaries, further highlighting the cultural significance of these birds.
The domestication of cassowaries dates back thousands of years, with archaeological evidence indicating that ancient New Guineans consumed cassowary eggs and meat. Susan Bulmer, an archaeologist, discovered cassowary eggshell fragments with burn marks, suggesting that they had been cooked. Additionally, studies on Pleistocene/early Holocene cassowary remains in Papua suggest that indigenous people preferred harvesting eggs rather than hunting adult birds.
While cassowaries are typically associated with rainforest habitats, they have demonstrated adaptability in urban environments, particularly in Queensland, Australia. These 'city' cassowaries have exhibited flexible foraging strategies, scavenging for food scraps and interacting with humans without exhibiting fear, further blurring the lines between wild and domesticated behaviour.
In summary, the cassowary is considered a semi-domesticated animal in Australia, particularly in specific regions such as Northern Australia and Queensland. While they are culturally significant to some Aboriginal groups and have been partially domesticated in the past, they continue to face threats in modern times, including conflicts with domesticated dogs and the dangers of urbanisation.
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Kangaroos are not typically thought of as domesticated animals
Australia has a diverse range of animals, including many unique species found nowhere else in the world. Kangaroos are among the country's most well-known native animals, but they are not typically considered domesticated.
While kangaroos are not commonly viewed as domesticated animals, some sources suggest that Aboriginal Australians have manipulated the natural environment through fire-stick farming to create ideal habitats for kangaroos. This practice has effectively "imprisoned" kangaroos within their own minds, leading to a situation where there are no truly wild kangaroos left. All kangaroos have been modified to suit Aboriginal needs over thousands of years, with only feral ones remaining, similar to pig and horse escapees in the outback.
Fire-stick farming, a technique employed by Aboriginal Australians, involves manipulating the natural environment to create ideal conditions for kangaroos to thrive. This method of farming is often described as "without fences," as it utilises the kangaroo's natural preferences instead of physical enclosures. By influencing the kangaroo's habitat, Aboriginal Australians have engaged in a form of animal manipulation that aligns with the concept of domestication.
However, it is important to note that the relationship between Aboriginal Australians and kangaroos may be better characterised as mutualism rather than full-blown domestication or taming. This unique dynamic showcases one of the most ingenious animal-human relationships ever observed, comparable to the cooperation between fishermen and dolphins in other regions.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the concept of domestication extends beyond mere friendship or a source of food. It entails a sustained multi-generational relationship where one group significantly influences the reproduction and care of another group to secure more predictable outcomes. While Aboriginal Australians have undoubtedly influenced the kangaroo population, the extent to which this meets the definition of domestication is open to interpretation.
In conclusion, while kangaroos in Australia are not traditionally considered domesticated animals, the complex relationship between these creatures and Aboriginal Australians challenges conventional notions of domestication. The practice of fire-stick farming and the absence of truly wild kangaroos blur the lines between wild and domesticated, highlighting the unique dynamics that can exist between humans and animals.
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Aboriginal Australians had farming societies
Aboriginal Australians also practiced aquaculture, which involved the manipulation of animals for food. For example, the Dhauwurd Wurrung (also known as Gunditjmara) people were capable of living in sedentary lifestyles thanks to their efficient management of eels and their production. They built settlements of "several hundred houses" that lasted for thousands of years.
Despite this evidence, Aboriginal peoples are often portrayed as nomadic hunter-gatherers in history books. This portrayal has been attributed to European political thinking in the 1800s, which linked "industriousness" with rights to land. Swiss jurist Emmerich de Vattel argued that societies based on "the fruits of the chase" rather than agricultural production could not complain if more "industrious Nations" occupied their lands. This line of thought allowed British colonists to justify their dispossession of Aboriginal peoples.
Resistance to recognizing Aboriginal agricultural practices has contributed to discriminatory attitudes and stereotypes that persist today. Textbooks and educational materials have been criticized for perpetuating these stereotypes and misrepresenting Aboriginal history.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has a diverse range of animals, but it is unclear if any are truly domesticated. Some sources suggest that Aboriginal Australians practiced a form of kangaroo domestication through fire-stick farming, which allowed them to manipulate the natural environment to suit the kangaroo. Others suggest that the short-finned eel is a true domesticated animal, as the Dhauwurd Wurrung people were capable of living in sedentary lifestyles through their efficient management of eels.
Fire-stick farming is a technique used by Aboriginal Australians to manipulate the natural environment and create ideal habitats for kangaroos. This form of "fenceless" farming uses the kangaroo's natural preferences to keep them contained, similar to how livestock are kept in enclosures.
The cassowary, a large flightless bird native to Australia, has been considered a semi-domesticated animal by some sources. Papuan and Northern Australian tribes are known to capture young cassowaries, and archaeological evidence suggests that the New Guinea Highlanders may have tried to farm these birds.
