Lyla Lindsey
Australia's animal emblems are native Australian animals chosen as mascots for the country's states and territories. The red kangaroo and emu are endemic fauna that hold up the shield on the country's coat of arms, but they are not official animal emblems. Each state has its own animal emblem: for instance, the numbat is the emblem of Western Australia, the hairy-nosed wombat is the emblem of South Australia, and the platypus is the emblem of Queensland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Western Australia Animal Emblem | Numbat |
| South Australia Emblem | Hairy-nosed Wombat |
| Victoria Emblem | Leadbeaters Possum |
| Tasmania Animal Emblem | Tasmanian Devil |
| Faunal Emblem of the NT | Red kangaroos |
| ACT bird emblem | Gang-gang cockatoo |
| National animal emblem | Emu and kangaroo |
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What You'll Learn
The Platypus: Emblem of which Australian state?
The platypus, or Ornithorhynchus anatinus, is a semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Platypuses are one of five extant species of monotremes, or mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. Platypuses are also one of the few species of venomous mammals, as male platypuses have a spur on their hind foot that delivers an extremely painful venom. Platypuses were hunted by Aboriginal Australians for their fatty tails and by Europeans for their fur until 1912 when it was prohibited by law. The platypus is the official animal emblem of New South Wales, having been proclaimed so in 1971.
New South Wales is not alone in having a unique animal emblem. Queensland, for example, has the koala as its animal emblem, also proclaimed in 1971. The Northern Territory has the Red Kangaroo as its emblem, proclaimed in 1975. Western Australia has the numbat as its animal emblem, proclaimed in 1973. South Australia has the southern hairy-nosed wombat as its emblem, proclaimed in 1970. Victoria has the Leadbeater's possum as its emblem, proclaimed in 1971.
The platypus was first encountered by Europeans in 1798, when a pelt and sketch were sent back to Great Britain by Captain John Hunter, the second Governor of New South Wales. British scientists initially believed the platypus to be a hoax due to its unusual appearance. The platypus is no longer endangered, thanks to legal protections granted in the 1920s. Platypuses inhabit small streams and rivers throughout eastern Australia, from the cold highlands of Tasmania and the Australian Alps to the tropical rainforests of coastal Queensland as far north as the base of the Cape York Peninsula.
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The Numbat: Western Australia's emblem
The Numbat, also known as the noombat or walpurti, is a diurnal, insectivorous marsupial that was proclaimed Western Australia's animal emblem in 1973. It is characterised by its reddish-brown fur coat, laced with white stripes, and a brush-like tail. Numbats have pointed snouts and long tongues, which make them well-adapted to consuming up to 20,000 termites per day. They are native to Western Australia and were once widespread across the southern regions of the country. However, their range has significantly decreased since European colonisation, and they are now restricted to small areas in the southwest of the state, with a population of fewer than 1,000 individuals in the wild.
The Numbat is considered an endangered species and has been the focus of intensive conservation efforts. The main threat to their survival is predation by introduced predators such as foxes and cats, which has been mitigated through control measures and baiting. The Numbat's natural habitats include eucalypt forests and semi-arid woodlands, and they are known to be solitary and territorial, occupying up to 1.5 square kilometres of land per individual.
The Numbat holds cultural significance in Western Australia, and its genome assembly has been the subject of scientific research. The species is a member of the order Dasyuromorphia, which comprises most of Australia's carnivorous marsupials. It is also one of the thylacine's closest living relatives, sharing up to 95% of its DNA with this enigmatic creature.
The selection of the Numbat as Western Australia's faunal emblem highlights the state's commitment to conserving this vulnerable species. Through captive breeding programmes, such as those led by Perth Zoo, and the establishment of feral predator-proof reserves, efforts are being made to protect and restore the Numbat population. These initiatives have resulted in a gradual increase in Numbat numbers, ensuring their continued presence in Western Australia's unique wildlife landscape.
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The Tasmanian Devil: Emblem of Tasmania?
The Tasmanian devil, or Sarcophilus harrisii, is a carnivorous marsupial native to the island of Tasmania. It is believed to have become extinct on mainland Australia around 3,500 years ago and is now the largest surviving carnivorous marsupial in the world. The Tasmanian devil is known for its muscular build, black fur, pungent odour, loud screech, keen sense of smell, and aggressive feeding behaviour.
Despite its iconic status in Tasmania, the Tasmanian devil has never been officially declared the emblem of the state. However, it is considered the unofficial emblem by many Tasmanians and Australians. The animal is often used as a symbol by organisations, groups, and products associated with Tasmania, and it has appeared on commemorative coins and logos. The Tasmanian devil is also the emblem of the Tasmanian National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The Tasmanian devil has become a popular tourist attraction in Tasmania, with its unique characteristics and behaviour captivating visitors. Its fame has been further bolstered by its portrayal in the Looney Tunes cartoon series. However, the species faces a significant threat from devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), which has drastically reduced its population. In 2008, the Tasmanian devil was declared endangered, with an estimated 90% of the wild devil population wiped out by the disease.
In 2015, the Tasmanian government recognised the devil as the state emblem, despite its endangered status. This decision was made following overwhelming public support for the animal as Tasmania's symbol. The Tasmanian Devil now joins the state's floral emblem, the Tasmanian blue gum, in representing the unique native fauna of the state.
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The Red Kangaroo: Emblem of the NT
The red kangaroo is the official animal emblem of the Northern Territory (NT). It embodies the NT's unique wildlife and is the largest living marsupial, with adult males standing over 2m tall and weighing up to 75kg. The red kangaroo is a distinctive feature of the NT Coat of Arms, granted by Royal Warrant on 11 September 1978, which symbolises the people, history and landscape of the NT. Two red kangaroos stand on a grassy sand dune, holding a shield decorated with Aboriginal art and shells found on the NT's coastline. The coat of arms also features an eagle, a helmet, and Sturt's desert rose, the floral emblem of the NT since 1974.
The red kangaroo has cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous Australians and has become an emblem of Australia, appearing on the Australian coat of arms and in many state and city coat of arms. It is also featured on the logos of Australian organisations such as Qantas and the Royal Australian Regiment, as well as in public art and ornamentation on domestic houses. The kangaroo has been mass-produced as ornamentation on buildings and houses, particularly in large cities, as part of an Australiana movement to create a uniquely Australian style.
The red kangaroo is well-adapted to the harsh conditions of the NT, with long, thin limbs that allow it to travel large distances. It is a herbivore that requires very little water, often retreating to waterways and open grassy areas during droughts. While males are a rusty brown colour, females are a smoky grey, and both have heat-reflecting paler fur on their undersides and distinctive white marks with a black line on the sides of their muzzles.
The red kangaroo has been a significant symbol for Australians for many years, with warships of the Royal Australian Navy featuring red kangaroo symbols since the Korean War. The bounding kangaroo has also been featured on the medals of the 1982 Commonwealth Games held in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, further solidifying its place as an emblem of the country and the NT.
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The Koala: Emblem of which Australian state?
The koala is native to mainland eastern and southeastern Australia, including the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. It is also found on several nearby islands, with the population on Magnetic Island representing the northern limit of its range. The koala was introduced to Western Australia in 1938, but that population has since declined significantly.
The koala is an iconic symbol of Australia and has been featured on coins, emblems, logos, and mascots. While the koala is not an official state emblem, it is the official fauna emblem of Queensland, Australia, and specifically of Brisbane, where it appears alongside the graceful tree frog. The Queensland Reds rugby union team also uses the koala as its logo.
In popular culture, the koala has been featured in various forms of media, including books, television shows, movies, and games. Characters such as Blinky Bill, Nutsy, and Mrs. Koala have become well-known koala ambassadors in Australian and international entertainment.
The koala is a robust animal with a large head and a vestigial or non-existent tail. Its body length ranges from 60 to 85 cm, and it weighs between 4 and 15 kg. The koala's diet consists primarily of eucalyptus leaves, and it rarely needs water as it obtains moisture from these leaves and overnight dew.
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Frequently asked questions
The Tasmanian Devil is considered the animal emblem of Tasmania, although it has never been officially declared.
The Numbat was proclaimed the Western Australia Animal Emblem in 1973.
The Hairy-nosed Wombat is the emblem of South Australia.
The Leadbeaters Possum is the emblem of Victoria.
