Leslie Massey
Australia is a megadiverse country with a rich and diverse animal population. It is home to an extraordinarily high number of plant and animal species, many of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Australia has around 200,000 to 300,000 animal species, with about 96% of them being invertebrates. The country has about 50 million kangaroos, with 55 different species, including tree kangaroos. It is also home to the world's largest bird, the emu, and the smallest penguin. Australia's oceans are graced by more than 50 types of marine mammals, including dolphins, whale sharks, sea lions, and manta rays. The Great Barrier Reef is home to 1,625 known fish species and six of the world's seven types of sea turtles. On land, Australia has almost 400 mammal species and about 140 species of marsupials, including koalas, wombats, and possums.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of animal species | 200,000-300,000 |
| Number of native mammals | 250 |
| Number of bird species | 46% of birds in Australia are endemic; 550 species of land and aquatic birds |
| Number of amphibian species | 94% of amphibians in Australia are endemic; 30 species are endangered or vulnerable |
| Number of reptile species | 93% of reptiles in Australia are endemic; 50 species are endangered or vulnerable; 680 species in total |
| Number of fish species | 2,000 species of marine and freshwater fish |
| Number of frog species | 190 species |
| Number of invertebrate species | 98,703 species |
| Number of insect species | 62,000 species |
| Number of plant species | 24,716 species |
| Number of kangaroo species | 40-55 |
| Number of wallaby species | 10 |
| Number of dangerous snakes | Coastal taipan, inland taipan, tiger snake |
| Number of dangerous jellyfish | Box jellyfish |
| Number of dangerous crocodiles | 2 species |
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Kangaroos, wallabies, and tree kangaroos
Australia is a megadiverse country with an extraordinarily high number of plant and animal species. There are an estimated 200,000 animal species in Australia, of which about 96% are invertebrates. Of the invertebrates, insects make up the largest group, comprising 75% of Australia's known species of animals.
Kangaroos and wallabies are closely related, but they differ in size, weight, and speed. Kangaroos are much taller, with longer legs built for speed and hopping on open terrain. They can grow as tall as 8 feet (2.4 meters) and weigh up to 200 pounds (90 kilograms). Wallabies, on the other hand, have more compact legs designed for agility in forested areas. They rarely exceed 3.2 feet (1 meter) in height, excluding their tails, and weigh no more than 45 pounds (20 kilograms). Wallabies also have flatter teeth than kangaroos, which help them to clip grass and stalks as they graze.
Wallabies come in many different species, including brush, scrub, swamp, forest, and rock wallabies, each adapted to their own unique habitats. Rock wallabies, for example, live on almost vertical rock walls in the southern desert. Red-necked wallabies are highly adaptable and can be found in many habitats, including the icy peaks of Tasmania's mountains.
Tree kangaroos are climbers rather than hoppers, and they have long, flexible tails that help with balance. They are found in the dense rainforest canopies of New Guinea and Australia, where they feed on leaves, flowers, ferns, moss, and insects.
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Koalas and wombats
Australia is a megadiverse country, home to a vast array of plant and animal species. There are an estimated 200,000 animal species in Australia, and of these, about 96% are invertebrates. Australia has almost 400 mammal species and about 140 species of marsupials.
Wombats are the world's largest burrowing mammals, with tunnels stretching up to 30 meters long. They are ground-dwelling mammals that eat different types of grasses, plants, and roots. Wombats are considered a "least concern" by National Geographic, with a stable population. The Common Wombat can be found in East Gippsland forests, with spring being the ideal time to see them. Maria Island is also a prime location to view wombats, with significant concentrations found in Tasmania, particularly around Darlington at Return Point.
Both koalas and wombats are marsupials, mammals that carry their young in a pouch. The female wombat's pouch faces backward, protecting her young from flying dirt as she burrows. Koalas and wombats have even been known to form close bonds, as seen with Elsa the koala and Hope the wombat, who became "best friends" while in isolation together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Crocodiles
Australia is home to two species of crocodiles: the saltwater crocodile and the freshwater crocodile. The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), also known as the estuarine crocodile, Indo-Pacific crocodile, marine crocodile, sea crocodile, or 'salties', is native to saltwater habitats, brackish wetlands, and freshwater rivers. They inhabit coastal regions from India's east coast, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh to Southeast Asia and Australia's north coast. The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile, with males growing up to a weight of 1,000-1,500 kg (2,200-3,300 lb) and a length of up to 6 m (20 ft), rarely exceeding 6.3 m (21 ft). Females are significantly smaller, typically not exceeding 3 m (9.8 ft). Saltwater crocodiles are opportunistic apex predators, ambushing their prey and either drowning or swallowing them whole. They can hold their breath for up to eight hours, making them adept at stealth and ambush attacks.
The saltwater crocodile is considered dangerous to humans and has been responsible for several fatal attacks. They are protected under law and play an important role in the ecosystem. Their population was threatened by unsustainable poaching and hunting in the past, but they have made a recovery. Saltwater crocodiles can be found in northern Australia, particularly in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia.
The freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni), also known as Johnstone's crocodile, is much smaller and generally harmless to humans. They inhabit the rivers, swamps, and billabongs of northern Australia. Females lay clutches of 4-20 eggs in the sand, and unlike saltwater crocodiles, they do not guard their nests.
Both species of crocodiles can survive in freshwater and saltwater environments, and they often venture inland during the breeding season.
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Snakes
Australia is a megadiverse country, home to a wide variety of animal and plant species. The continent is inhabited by about 200,000 animal species, 96% of which are invertebrates. Of the remaining vertebrates, Australia has almost 400 mammal species, about 140 species of marsupials, and 56 types of colourful parrots. Reptiles also make up a significant portion of Australia's fauna, with 93% of them being endemic to the continent.
Among the reptiles, snakes are a notable part of Australia's fauna, with about 170 species of land snakes. Some of these snakes are known for their dangerous bites and highly venomous nature. Here is a detailed look at some of the snake species found in Australia:
Coastal Taipan
The coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) is one of the world's most venomous snakes, growing up to 4 metres (13 feet) in length. They are found in coastal regions and can be extremely dangerous. However, they usually only attack when feeling threatened.
Inland Taipan
The inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), also known as the "Western desert taipan", is another highly venomous snake species found in Australia. It is considered to be the most venomous snake in the world based on LD50 tests on mice. The inland taipan has a neurotoxic venom that affects the nervous system, causing paralysis and respiratory failure.
Tiger Snake
The tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) is a highly venomous species found in Australia, particularly in the southern and eastern regions of the country. They are known for their distinctive colour patterns, which can vary from light yellow to black, with dark stripes resembling a tiger's pattern. Tiger snakes are considered dangerous and are responsible for a significant number of snake bite incidents in Australia.
Eastern Brown Snake
The eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) is a fast-moving and aggressive species known for its venomous bite. They are responsible for more deaths annually in Australia than any other group of snakes. Their venom is ranked as the second most toxic of any land snake in the world, and they are commonly found in rural areas, particularly on farms with mouse infestations.
Western Brown Snake
The western brown snake (Pseudonaja nuchalis) is a close cousin of the eastern brown snake but is found in different regions of Australia. It is less aggressive but still highly dangerous. Western brown snakes are fast-moving and nervous in temperament. While their venom is not as toxic as that of the eastern brown snake, they inject three times the amount, leading to severe symptoms and even death.
Common Death Adder
The common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) is an ambush predator found in eastern Australia, southern South Australia, and Western Australia. It sits motionless and concealed in leaf litter, sand, or gravel, luring prey with a worm-like extension on its tail. Unlike other snakes that flee from humans, death adders are more likely to remain still, making them a surprise threat to unsuspecting bushwalkers. Their venom contains a neurotoxin that causes paralysis and death.
While Australia is known for its dangerous snakes, it's important to remember that snake bites are quite rare, and fatalities have been low due to the development of effective anti-venoms.
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Birds
Australia is a bird lover's paradise, with around 850 species of birds, 45% of which are endemic, meaning they are unique to Australia. The only country with more endemic species is Indonesia. The diversity of bird species in Australia is due in part to the country's geographical isolation, which has allowed its animals to evolve separately from those in other parts of the world. The climate has also played a significant role, with the drying and wetting of forests and arid lands leading to the evolution of new species.
Among the more well-known Australian birds are the colourful Eclectus Parrot, also known as Eckies, and the Gouldian Finch, considered the world's most strikingly coloured small bird. The Tawny Frogmouth is another interesting species, known for its extreme camouflage and tuft of spiky feathers above its beak. Australia is also home to the world's first songbirds, the lyrebirds, which are known for their superb mimicry abilities, and their smaller relatives, the scrub-birds. The cassowary is another ancient bird found in Australia, shared only with New Guinea.
Australia's birds come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny 8 cm weebill to the huge, flightless emu. Many Australian birds will seem familiar to visitors from the Northern Hemisphere, such as the Australian wren and robin, which resemble their northern counterparts. However, this resemblance is due to convergent evolution rather than genetic relatedness. The majority of Australian passerines are actually descended from the crow family.
Birdwatching is a popular activity in Australia, with twitchers (birdwatchers) travelling from all over the world to spot some of the country's unique avian species. There are many field guides and books available to help bird enthusiasts identify the various species, including the Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds (HANZAB), considered the pre-eminent scientific reference on the subject. BirdLife Australia is the leading Australian NGO for birds, ornithology, and conservation.
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Frequently asked questions
There are between 200,000 and 300,000 animal species in Australia, about 96% of which are invertebrates.
There are about 250 species of native mammals in Australia.
There are about 550 species of land and aquatic birds in Australia.
