Leslie Massey
Australia is home to the largest intact desert on Earth, and contrary to popular belief, it is full of wildlife that has evolved to survive in extreme conditions. The Australian desert is home to a wide variety of animals, including bilbies, dunnarts, kangaroos, wallabies, bats, dingoes, and various native rodents. The highly varied habitats of the Australian desert also support a diverse range of birds and reptiles, as well as some frogs that are rarely seen due to their underground burrowing habits. The introduction of non-native species, unsustainable land use, and environmental changes have all contributed to the decline and extinction of several native Australian animal species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animals | Bilby, Dingo, Dunnart, Kangaroo, Wallaby, Bat, Kultarr, Wongai Ningaui, Spinifex Hopping Mouse, Great Desert Skink, Bush Stone-Curlew, Bearded Dragon, Bynoe's Gecko, Spencer's Desert Burrowing Frog, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Budgerigar, Pink Cockatoo, Camel, Sand Cat |
| Habitat | Australian Outback Deserts, Gibson Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Tanami Desert, Spinifex Grasslands, Sand Flats, Dunes, Burrows, Arid Zones, Western Desert, Uluru, Queensland, Northern Territory, Tasmania, Simpson Desert |
| Threats | Cats, Foxes, Climate Change, Habitat Degradation, Hunting, Land-management Practices, Feral Animals, Weeds, Overfishing, Introduced Non-native Species |
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What You'll Learn
Reptiles, including lizards and frogs
One unique lizard species found in Australian deserts is the thorny devil (Moloch horridus). This small lizard is covered in spines and has specialised skin that collects water by channeling dew and rain along grooves on its body. This adaptation is crucial in the water-scarce environment where they are found. Another remarkable lizard species is the perentie (Varanus giganteus), which is Australia's largest goanna and one of the largest living lizards on Earth. Reaching over two metres in length, the perentie is a formidable predator known for its hunting abilities and strength. It preys on other reptiles, small mammals, and even birds.
The sandy deserts are also home to the sand goanna (Varanus gouldii), which burrows to escape the heat. Legless lizards, such as Burton's legless lizard (Lialis burtonis), are often found in sandy or loose soils across various habitats. These lizards resemble snakes but can be distinguished by their eyelids and external ear openings. The Great Desert Skink, known as Tjakura to the Martu people, is another notable lizard species. These lizards can grow up to 40 cm long and are known for their distinctive orange colour and yellow underside. They build large burrow systems with multiple entry and exit points and display unique social behaviour, with family groups working together to maintain their homes.
Frogs, while less diverse than lizards, also have their share of desert-dwelling species in Australia. One notable example is the water-holding frog (Cyclorana platycephala), found in central Australia. This burrowing frog has adapted to retain water and dig deep into the ground. They have short arms and legs and large, round bodies, which help reduce surface area and minimise water loss. Desert frogs, in general, have unique reproductive strategies, with females laying eggs in temporary pools or even mud after significant rainfall events. The Northern Sandhill Frog is exceptional, as its eggs hatch directly into fully formed froglets, bypassing the tadpole stage.
The diversity and adaptability of lizards and frogs in Australian deserts showcase the resilience and uniqueness of these species, contributing to the rich biodiversity of the continent.
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Marsupials, including kangaroos and wallabies
Marsupials are one of the three main mammal groups, the other two being egg-laying monotremes and placental mammals. Marsupials are also known as pouched mammals, as most species have a pouch. The pouch is used to protect the undeveloped young, known as "joeys", from the environment and predators while they continue to develop and have access to their mother's milk. Marsupials' reproductive systems differ from those of placental mammals, and they typically have lower body temperatures.
Kangaroos and wallabies are well-known marsupials. Kangaroos are famous for their bouncing gait, which helps them cover huge distances to find food in the sparsely vegetated Australian desert. The red kangaroo is the largest kangaroo and the largest marsupial, with a body length of up to 2 metres and a weight of up to 90 kilograms. It is found in arid regions across Australia, including grasslands, savannas, deserts, and woodlands. It is herbivorous, mainly eating grasses and flowers.
Wallabies are smaller than kangaroos, and the name "wallaby" is given to the smaller members of the Macropodidae family, which includes kangaroos, wallabies, and wallaroos.
There are also several species of tree kangaroos, which have adaptations for an arboreal lifestyle, including long tails, large feet, and long arms. Lumholtz's tree kangaroo is the smallest tree kangaroo, weighing 7 kilograms with a body and tail length of 1.24 metres. It is found in the rainforests of Queensland, Australia.
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Carnivorous marsupials, such as the Tasmanian devil
Australia is home to the largest intact desert on Earth, with wildlife that has evolved to survive in extreme conditions. The Tasmanian devil, a carnivorous marsupial, is one such animal. Formerly present across mainland Australia, the Tasmanian devil is now confined to the island of Tasmania.
The Tasmanian devil is the world's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial. It has the appearance of a small dog, with black fur and white markings on its chest and sometimes rump. Its forelegs are slightly longer than its hind legs, and it can run up to 13 km/h (8.1 mph) for short distances. The devil is a curious and energetic animal, travelling long distances at night in pursuit of food. It uses its keen senses of smell and hearing to find prey or carrion. While they are usually solitary, they often come together to feed on carcasses, making eerie growls and loud screeches while they eat.
Tasmanian devils are scavengers, feeding on the carcasses of dead animals, but they also hunt live prey such as small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. They have powerful jaws and teeth that enable them to eat most of a carcass, including bones and fur. The devil's large head and neck allow it to generate an extremely powerful bite, with a Bite Force Quotient of 181. Its teeth and jaws resemble those of hyenas, an example of convergent evolution.
Young devils are more agile than adults and can climb trees. In their native habitat, devils have a lifespan of about seven to eight years. Devils are considered pests by some residents of Tasmania because their numbers increase during the summer, and they have been known to hunt sheep and chickens. Devils gained legal protection in 1941, and they are now listed as endangered under Tasmania's Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.
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Camels, an introduced species
Camels are not native to Australia. They were first introduced in 1840 from the Canary Islands, and between 1870 and 1920, as many as 20,000 camels were imported from the Arabian Peninsula, India, and Afghanistan, along with their handlers or cameleers. The animals were well-suited to the climate of the Australian interior, able to go for weeks without water, and had the strength to carry loads across arid landscapes.
The introduction of camels to Australia was initially beneficial, as they were used to transport goods and people across the continent. However, over time, they have become a significant problem, with their population growing out of control and causing environmental damage. By 2008, the feral camel population in Central Australia was estimated to be around one million, with the potential to double every 8 to 10 years. This has led to concerns about the impact on native flora and fauna, as camels compete with endemic animals for food and water and damage vegetation through their foraging behaviour.
The Australian government has implemented measures to control the camel population, including culling operations. In 2013, the government-funded Australian Feral Camel Management Project culled around 160,000 camels, usually by gunshot or aerial shooting. Despite these efforts, the camel population remains a challenge, with camels continuing to impact the fragile Australian desert environment.
While camels have negatively impacted the environment, they have also become a part of Australia's economy and culture. Camel meat is consumed in Australia and exported to other countries. Camel milk production is also growing, with several camel dairies established across the country. Additionally, camel rides have become a popular tourist attraction, offering a unique way to experience the Australian Outback.
In conclusion, while camels were introduced to Australia for practical purposes and thrived in the desert environment, their proliferation has led to ecological concerns. The Australian government and communities are working to manage their population and mitigate their impact on the fragile desert ecosystem. Despite the challenges, camels have also carved out a unique place in modern Australian culture and industry.
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Birds, including parrots and eagles
Australia's deserts are home to a variety of birds, including parrots and eagles. The largest bird of prey in Australia is the wedge-tailed eagle, which is found throughout the country, including Tasmania, and in southern New Guinea. These majestic birds can be spotted in almost all habitats, from open woodlands and grasslands to desert edges, semi-deserts, and even mountainous areas. They tend to favour remote or rugged terrain with a mix of trees, shrubs, and rocky spots. While they are widespread across Australia's desert interior, they are less common in the most arid regions, such as the Lake Eyre Basin.
Another eagle species found in Australian deserts is the little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides), which can be distinguished by its distinctive call—a series of short whistles followed by a longer one. These eagles are distributed across the continent and can be spotted in a variety of habitats.
Among parrots, the Princess parrot is a desert-dwelling species that is widely distributed across the inland regions of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and South Australia. This nomadic parrot is elusive and not well-known, but it is unique among parrots for its mobbing behaviour against predators. Another parrot species found in Australian deserts is the Budgerigar, which is nomadic and constantly on the move in search of food and water. They are commonly seen in the Australian interior west of the Great Dividing Range and prefer open habitats where they feed on grass seeds.
In addition to these, there are a variety of other parrot species that can be found in the arid and semi-arid regions of Australia, including the Superb Parrot, Mulga Parrot, Hooded Parrot, and the various lorikeet species such as the Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, and Varied Lorikeet. These parrots add a splash of colour to the desert landscapes with their vibrant plumage and contribute to the diverse birdlife that calls Australia's deserts home.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian deserts are home to a wide variety of animals, including:
- Kangaroos, including the iconic Red Kangaroo, the largest marsupial
- Dingoes, Australia's wild dogs
- Bilbies, with their large ears and burrowing habits
- Emus, Australia's largest bird
- Camels
- Dunnarts
- Wallabies
- Bats
- Goannas
- Lizards, including the vulnerable Great Desert Skink, the Central Ranges Taipan, and the Frilled Lizard
- Birds, including the rare Alexandra's parrot, wedge-tailed eagles, and the Australian bustard
- Snakes, including the highly venomous Inland Taipan
- Frogs, including the water-holding frog and the desert tree frog
- Insects, such as termites and ants
- Marsupial moles
- Mulgaras
- Spinifex Hopping Mice
The birdlife and wildlife in Australian deserts have developed unique behaviours and adaptations to survive in the harsh desert conditions.
