Leslie Massey
Australia is home to a wide variety of unique animals, and some of these have been chosen as mascots or emblems for each of its six states. The emblems are native Australian animals that hold a special significance for the people of each state. While some states have officially declared their animal emblems, others have been adopted by the people as mascots. These state animals are a source of pride and represent the diverse wildlife found across Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Western Australia Emblem | Numbat (adopted in 1973) |
| South Australia Emblem | Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat (adopted in 1970) |
| Victoria Emblem | Leadbeaters Possum (adopted in 1971) |
| Tasmania Emblem | Tasmanian Devil (not officially declared) |
| Australian Capital Territory Emblem | Gang-gang Cockatoo (adopted in 1997) |
| Queensland Emblem | Koala (adopted in 1971) |
| National Animal of Australia | Red Kangaroo |
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What You'll Learn
The Numbat is the emblem of Western Australia
Australia is home to a wide variety of unique and fascinating animals, and some of these have been chosen to represent the country's states and territories. The numbat, a small and endangered marsupial, is one such creature that has been proclaimed as the faunal emblem of Western Australia since 1973. With its distinctive appearance and intriguing habits, it has become a beloved symbol of the state.
The numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is known for its beautifully coloured reddish-brown fur coat, adorned with white stripes that contrast strikingly with the darker fur on its tail and rear legs. Its glossy black eyes, cupped ears, and perfectly pointed black nose come together to form an eye-catching visage. This endearing creature is a solitary and territorial animal, occupying up to 1.5 square kilometres of land per individual, and it is primarily found in the southwestern regions of Western Australia.
As a termitivorous species, the numbat has a unique diet, consuming up to 20,000 termites per day. With their long tongues coated with sticky saliva, they are well-adapted to extracting termites from logs and shallow feeding areas, or 'galleries'. Numbats prefer to make their homes in eucalypt woodlands, where they can shelter in hollow logs and nest close to their favourite food source. Their preferred habitat also includes woodland with thick undergrowth and fallen branches, providing ample opportunities for them to hide and search for termites during the day.
The numbat holds a special place in the hearts of Western Australians, and its selection as the state emblem reflects this affection. Unfortunately, the numbat has faced significant challenges due to habitat destruction and the introduction of foxes during European settlement, leading to its endangered status. However, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, government initiatives, and community support, the numbat population is gradually recovering. These efforts include breeding programs, such as the one at Perth Zoo, where over 60 numbats have been successfully released back into protected habitats.
In conclusion, the numbat serves as an important emblem for Western Australia, representing the state's unique fauna and the ongoing commitment to protect and preserve its natural treasures. Its distinctive appearance, fascinating habits, and resilient spirit have earned it a special place in the hearts of many, both within the state and across Australia.
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The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat is the emblem of South Australia
The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, nicknamed the 'bulldozer of the bush', is the emblem of South Australia. The species was officially adopted as the emblem on 27 August 1970. It is one of three extant species of wombats and is the smallest of them all. The wombat is native to scattered areas of semi-arid scrub and mallee from the eastern Nullarbor Plain to the New South Wales border area. It is also found in the south-eastern corner of Western Australia, the Eyre and York Peninsulas, and the Murray Mallee region of South Australia.
Southern hairy-nosed wombats are stout and robust with strong claws adapted to digging. They grow up to 90 cm long and can weigh up to 32 kg. They have a stocky and robust build, flattened claws, and five digits. Their body length ranges from 772 to 934 mm, with a body mass ranging from 19 to 32 kg. The pelage is silky and is typically greyish or tan in colour. The wombat grooms itself with its second and third toes, which are fused together, except at the tips. The head is robust and flattened, with pointed ears and a snout that resembles that of a pig. The animal gets its name from the hairs that cover its rhinarium.
Southern hairy-nosed wombats dig and live in burrows, which they connect into warrens with many entrances. These warrens are shared by up to 10 individuals, and males may be territorial towards wombats from other warrens. They are nocturnal herbivores with small eyes and poor eyesight, relying on their sense of smell to navigate during their nightly excursions. Their diet consists mainly of native perennial grasses and sedges, but they will also consume introduced pasture species, forbs, and the leaves of woody shrubs if their favoured food is not available.
The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat faces several threats, including Sarcoptic mange, which can kill 80-90% of affected populations. Other threats include habitat destruction, illegal culling, grazing competition from domestic livestock and feral animals, collisions with motor vehicles, and drought. The species was listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN in 2016 due to the isolation of many subpopulations. Conservation efforts are in place to protect populations of the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, such as at the Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary in the Murraylands region and Dakalanta Wildlife Sanctuary on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia.
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The Platypus is the emblem of Queensland
The Platypus, or Ornithorhynchus anatinus, is a semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. It is one of the few venomous mammals, with males possessing a spur on their hind foot that delivers a painful venom. Platypuses inhabit small streams and rivers in tropical rainforests in Queensland, as well as the cold highlands of Tasmania and the Australian Alps. They are dependent on freshwater systems and are most active during twilight and at night.
The Platypus holds cultural significance for some Aboriginal peoples, who use it as a totem, a spiritual emblem representing their connection to the country. The Wadi Wadi people, who live along the Murray River, consider the Platypus a totem animal. The Platypus has also been used as a symbol of Australia's cultural identity, serving as mascots for various events, including the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics and World Expo 88 in Brisbane.
In Queensland, the Platypus is a revered part of the state's natural heritage. While the Koala is officially recognized as the state emblem of Queensland, proclaimed in 1971, the Platypus is also an important symbol. The Platypus is one of two monotremes, mammals that lay eggs and suckle their young, endemic to the Australasian region. Its legal protection in the 1920s ensured its survival in Queensland and across its range.
The breeding season of the Platypus varies across its distribution, with Queensland typically being the earliest. Mating usually occurs between August and October, and pregnant females build complex burrows to nest. The Platypus is an important part of Queensland's biodiversity, and its presence in the state's freshwater systems contributes to the unique character of the region. While the Platypus may not be the official state emblem, its ecological and cultural significance makes it a cherished emblem of Queensland.
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The Koala is the emblem of New South Wales
Australia is a nation comprising six states: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Each state has its own government, which exercises a limited degree of sovereignty. The country also has two internal territories: the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (including the city of Canberra).
Each state and territory has its own unique emblem, usually in the form of a native animal that holds significance within the region. These animal emblems were chosen to reflect the pride and place that these creatures hold in the respective parts of the country.
The Koala, a revered marsupial, is the official emblem of New South Wales. Proclaimed as the state's emblem in 1971, the koala is common throughout the forests and woodlands of eastern Australia's coastal regions. Koalas spend most of their lives in the tops of eucalyptus trees, dozing up to 20 hours a day. This long sleeping pattern is often misunderstood as laziness, but it is actually a result of their diet: they sleep this much to conserve energy needed to digest their toxic, low-nutrient diet of eucalyptus leaves. The moisture from the leaves and overnight dew is usually enough for koalas, so they rarely need to drink water.
While koalas are known for their gentle and cute demeanor, their mating calls sound more like those of a wild boar than a docile marsupial. The koala is an important emblem for New South Wales, representing the unique wildlife that calls the state home.
In addition to the koala, other state emblems include the Numbat in Western Australia, the Hairy-nosed Wombat in South Australia, and the Platypus, which is endemic to the Australasian region. Tasmania's emblem is unofficially the Tassie Devil, the world's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial. Although it hasn't been officially declared, Tasmanians strongly identify with this iconic animal, which is endangered within the state due to a lethal facial cancer.
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The Tasmanian Devil is the emblem of Tasmania
The Tasmanian Devil, or Sarcophilus harrisii, is the emblem of Tasmania. It is a carnivorous marsupial, the largest of its kind in the world. Related to quolls and distantly related to the thylacine, the devil is characterised by its stocky and muscular build, black fur, pungent odour, loud screech, strong sense of smell, and ferocity when feeding. The Tasmanian devil's large head and neck allow it to generate one of the strongest bites per unit of body mass of any predatory land mammal. While it is usually a solitary animal, it sometimes eats and defecates together with other devils in a communal location.
The devil is an iconic symbol of Tasmania and has been used in the logos of many organisations, groups, and products associated with the state. It is also a popular tourist attraction, with its possible extinction described as "a really significant blow for Australian and Tasmanian tourism". The Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park is one such tourist attraction, and Cascade Brewery in Tasmania sells a ginger beer with a Tasmanian devil on the label. The devil has also appeared on several commemorative coins in Australia over the years.
The Tasmanian devil was officially protected in 1941, but its population has been drastically reduced since the late 1990s by devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). In 2008, the species was declared endangered. The Tasmanian devil is now confined to the island of Tasmania, as it became extinct on the Australian mainland around 3,500 years ago.
Despite its iconic status, the Tasmanian devil has never been officially declared the emblem of Tasmania. However, it is considered to be the state's emblem by most Australians and Tasmanians. In 2015, Tasmanians were asked whether they wanted the devil to become the state's official animal emblem, and it was chosen as Tasmania's state emblem that same year.
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Frequently asked questions
The Tasmanian devil is considered the state animal of Tasmania, although it has not been officially declared an emblem.
The numbat was proclaimed the state animal of Western Australia in 1973.
The Leadbeater's possum is the state animal of Victoria.
