Leslie Massey
Australia is a biodiversity hotspot, with a large variety of animals and plants. The country's biodiversity is a result of its long geographic isolation, tectonic stability, and unique patterns of climate change over time. Australia is believed to have between 200,000 and 300,000 species, about 100,000 of which have been described. The country has a high level of endemism, with 46% of birds, 69% of mammals, 94% of amphibians, and 93% of reptiles found nowhere else on Earth. Unfortunately, human activities such as hunting, unsustainable land use, and the introduction of invasive species have led to numerous extinctions and continue to threaten native Australian animals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of species in Australia | 200,000-300,000 |
| Number of species described | 100,000 |
| Number of native mammal species | 250 |
| Number of native bird species | 550 |
| Number of native reptile species | 680 |
| Number of native frog species | 190 |
| Number of native fish species | 2,000+ |
| Number of native invertebrate species | 7,300+ |
| Number of native insect species | 62,000 |
| Number of native plant species | 21,000+ |
| Number of native flowering plant species | 18,000+ |
| Number of native species presumed extinct during European settlement | 20 mammals, 20 birds, 70 plants |
| Number of native species classified as endangered or threatened | 380 |
| Number of new species discovered in 2024 | 750 |
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What You'll Learn
- Australia has between 200,000 and 300,000 species, 100,000 of which are described
- % of birds, 69% of mammals, 94% of amphibians, and 93% of reptiles are endemic
- Hunting, non-native species, and land-management have led to extinctions
- species are classified as endangered or threatened under the EPBC Act
- Australia has more venomous than non-venomous snakes
Australia has between 200,000 and 300,000 species, 100,000 of which are described
Australia is known for its diverse wildlife, and the country is home to a vast array of species. The continent has a high level of endemism, meaning many of its species are found nowhere else on Earth. This is due to the continent's long geographic isolation, tectonic stability, and unique patterns of climate change influencing the soil and flora over time.
It is estimated that Australia has between 200,000 and 300,000 species, with about 100,000 described so far. This includes a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates. Among the vertebrates, there are 250 species of native mammals, 550 species of land and aquatic birds, 680 species of reptiles, 190 species of frogs, and over 2,000 species of marine and freshwater fish. The invertebrates, which include insects, make up the rest.
The largest group of invertebrates is the insects, comprising 75% of Australia's known species of animals. The most diverse insect orders include beetles and weevils (Coleoptera), butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera), ants, bees, and wasps (Hymenoptera), flies and mosquitoes (Diptera), bugs, aphids, and hoppers (Hemiptera), and grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids (Orthoptera).
The country's unique fauna also includes marsupials such as macropods, possums, and dasyuromorphs, as well as monotremes like the platypus. Australia has a notable abundance of venomous species, including spiders, scorpions, octopus, jellyfish, molluscs, stonefish, stingrays, and snakes.
The introduction of non-native species, unsustainable land use, and habitat destruction pose significant threats to Australia's native species. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect the country's rich biodiversity.
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46% of birds, 69% of mammals, 94% of amphibians, and 93% of reptiles are endemic
Australia has a diverse range of fauna, with a high level of endemism. This means that a large proportion of its animal species are unique to the continent and not found naturally anywhere else. This endemism is attributed to the continent's long geographic isolation, tectonic stability, and the effects of a unique pattern of climate change on the soil and flora over time.
Specifically, 46% of birds, 69% of mammals, 94% of amphibians, and 93% of reptiles that inhabit the continent are endemic to Australia. This translates to about 45% of the 800 species of birds, 69% of the 250 species of native mammals, 94% of the 190 species of frogs, and 93% of the 680 species of reptiles.
Australia's fauna has been significantly impacted by the settlement of Indigenous Australians between 48,000 and 70,000 years ago and by Europeans from 1788. The introduction of non-native species, hunting, and land-management practices have led to numerous extinctions and continue to threaten the survival of many species. For example, invasive species are the leading cause of native Australian animal extinctions since the 1960s.
To protect its unique fauna, Australia has passed federal and state legislation and established numerous protected areas. The federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 was created to meet Australia's obligations as a signatory to the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity. This act protects all native fauna and provides for the identification and protection of threatened species.
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Hunting, non-native species, and land-management have led to extinctions
Australia is home to a diverse range of native animals and plants, boasting one of the world's highest levels of biodiversity. However, the country has witnessed an alarming rate of species extinction, with hunting, the introduction of non-native species, and land-management practices playing significant roles.
Hunting and Non-Native Species:
Hunting and the introduction of non-native species have been detrimental to Australia's native wildlife. Since colonisation, at least 33, possibly 34, native mammal species have gone extinct, primarily due to introduced cats and foxes. These introduced predators have unique hunting techniques, such as cats' ambush mode of hunting, which native prey are often unable to recognise or defend against. This phenomenon, known as "prey naivety," has contributed to the decline and extinction of numerous Australian marsupials and rodents.
Invasive species have been the primary driver of Australia's animal extinctions, with 45 out of 100 recorded extinctions attributed to them. Since 2009, they have been responsible for 4 out of 5 animal extinctions in the country. Australia's distinct ecology, shaped over millions of years in isolation, is particularly vulnerable to these outside forces.
Land-Management:
Land-management practices have also contributed to extinctions in Australia. Feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park have trampled and damaged sensitive alpine ecosystems, leading to the decline and potential extinction of native animals. The federal government's Threatened Species Scientific Committee has warned that these feral horses could be the "crucial factor" in causing final extinctions.
Additionally, habitat loss has played a significant role in Australia's extinction crisis, accounting for 36 out of 100 recorded extinctions. While this may be due in part to human development, it also highlights the importance of effective land management in protecting native species.
Addressing the Crisis:
With approximately 100 plant and animal species facing a high risk of imminent extinction, Australia is facing an extinction catastrophe. Urgent action is needed to address the introduction and spread of invasive species, improve land-management practices, and strengthen laws and systems to prevent further extinctions. The Invasive Species Council and other organisations are working towards these goals, advocating for stronger policies and increased funding for invasive species management.
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380 species are classified as endangered or threatened under the EPBC Act
Australia is home to a diverse range of native animals, with between 200,000 and 300,000 species, about 100,000 of which have been described. This includes around 250 species of native mammals, 550 species of land and aquatic birds, 680 species of reptiles, 190 species of frogs, and over 2,000 species of marine and freshwater fish. The remainder are invertebrates, including insects, with Coleoptera being the most diverse insect order, featuring 28,200 species of beetles and weevils.
Unfortunately, many native Australian animal species are facing threats. Since European settlement, direct exploitation of native fauna, habitat destruction, and the introduction of exotic predators and competitive herbivores have led to the extinction of approximately 27 mammal, 23 bird, and 4 frog species. Unsustainable land use and invasive species continue to pose significant threats to native fauna.
To address these concerns, Australia has enacted legislation such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This Act provides a legal framework to protect and manage unique plants, animals, habitats, and places of national environmental significance. It includes provisions for identifying and listing threatened species, developing conservation advice, and regulating activities that may impact listed species.
Currently, 380 animal species are classified as endangered or threatened under the EPBC Act. This classification is determined through rigorous scientific assessments undertaken by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC). The EPBC Act plays a crucial role in promoting the recovery of these vulnerable species through conservation efforts and the implementation of recovery plans.
The EPBC Act also protects all cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) in Australian waters, with the Australian Whale Sanctuary extending beyond the 3-nautical-mile state waters limit to the boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone. Additionally, the Act covers other Matters of National Environmental Significance, including World Heritage Areas, National Heritage Places, Ramsar Wetlands, migratory species, and the protection of water resources from coal-seam gas and large coal mine development.
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Australia has more venomous than non-venomous snakes
Australia is home to a large variety of animals, with 46% of birds, 69% of mammals, 94% of amphibians, and 93% of reptiles endemic to the continent. The country has between 200,000 and 300,000 species, about 100,000 of which have been described.
Among these species are numerous venomous creatures, including spiders, scorpions, octopuses, jellyfish, molluscs, stonefish, stingrays, and snakes. Australia has a reputation for its venomous fauna, but ecologist Arbuckle argues that, aside from snakes, the country's venomous fauna is within the typical range.
Indeed, Australia is the only country with more venomous snake species than non-venomous ones. Of the snake species living in Australia, 110 are venomous, and 12 of these are life-threatening to humans. The country is home to some of the world's most venomous snakes, including the eastern brown snake, the western brown snake, the death adder, and the tiger snake.
The abundance of venomous snakes in Australia can be attributed to an "accident of history," according to Professor Michael Lee of the South Australian Museum and Flinders University. About 60 million years ago, Australia was connected to New Guinea, and venomous snakes migrated from there.
Despite the high number of venomous snakes, snake bites are quite rare in Australia, with only around 3,000 incidents occurring each year and an average of two deaths annually. This is due to the development of effective anti-venoms and the fact that snakes generally avoid humans and only bite when they feel threatened.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is estimated to be home to between 200,000 and 300,000 animal and plant species, with about 100,000 described so far. There are about 250 species of native mammals, 550 species of land and aquatic birds, 680 species of reptiles, 190 species of frogs, and over 2,000 species of marine and freshwater fish.
Australia's biodiversity can be attributed to its long geographic isolation, tectonic stability, and unique patterns of climate change that have affected the soil and flora over time.
380 animal species are classified as either endangered or threatened under the EPBC Act, and many more are protected under state and territory legislation. 50 terrestrial mammals and over 1,000 flowering plants are officially listed as vulnerable.
A unique feature of Australia's fauna is the scarcity of native placental mammals, with marsupials occupying many of the ecological niches that placental animals occupy elsewhere. Australia is also home to two of the five known extant species of monotremes, and has more venomous than non-venomous species of snakes.
