Learn about Australian Animals
Did you know the male platypus can release poison from its foot or that the common wombat excretes cube-shaped droppings? This lens focuses on the unique traits of Australian animals.
If you like this lens, you can learn more interesting facts about animals all over the world at Animal Fact Guide.
Australian Marsupials
Marsupials are mammals of which the females have a pouch (the marsupium) containing the teats where the young are fed and carried.
Below are links to two Australian marsupial fact pages. More marsupials will be added soon!
Below are links to two Australian marsupial fact pages. More marsupials will be added soon!
- Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus): Also known as the course-haired wombat, the common wombat is the largest burrowing mammal and the second largest marsupial.
- Tasmanian Devil (Sarophilus harrisi): The late night screeching, stress-induced stink, and fierce look led early Australian settlers to name this marsupial the devil. Although once found all over Australia, Tasmanian devils now live only on the island state of Tasmania.
Australian Monotremes
Monotremes are mammals that lay eggs. The females have no teats but provide milk directly through the skin to their young.
- Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus): An animal with a bill like a duck, a tail like a beaver, and feet like an otter sounds like something a mad scientist would create. Add to the list the ability to lay lizard-like eggs and shoot poison out of your foot, and you have the platypus, a unique creature indeed.
- Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus): Resembling a porcupine or hedgehog, the short-beaked echidna has long sharp hairs that act as spines. Its long snout and sticky tongue allow it to eat ants, termites, grubs, and worms.
Australian Animal Photos from Flickr
Echidna foetuses - N...
Playpus fur rug - Na...
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Fun Stuff for Kids
Here are links to fun downloads for kids. We'll add more on a continual basis.
Echidna Links
- Short-beaked Echidna: Animal Fact Guide
- Echidnas use their pointy snouts to sense electrical signals from ants and termites. They then lick up the insects with their long, sticky tongue. Learn more interesting echidna facts at Animal Fact Guide!
- Short-beaked Echidna: State of Tasmania DPIW
- Echidnas, or spiny ant eaters, are familiar to most Australians. They are 30 cm to 45 cm in length and weigh between 2 kg and 5 kg.
- Echidna: Unique Australian Animals
- Echidna information and photos.
Platypus Links
- Platypus: Animal Fact Guide
- Did you know male platypuses can release poison from spurs in their feet? Learn more interesting platypus facts at Animal Fact Guide!
- The Complete Platypus
- A collection of platypus facts, drawings, stories, poems, and more.
- Unique Australian Animals
- Information and photos relating to the platypus.
- Platypus: Australian Wildlife
- Platypus information, free pictures, and more.
Tasmanian Devil Links
- Tasmanian Devil: Animal Fact Guide
- Like the wombat, the Tasmanian devil has a pouch that opens at the bottom to keep dirt out while it travels. Learn more interesting Tasmanian devil facts at Animal Fact Guide!
- Save the Tasmanian Devil - University of Tasmania
- The Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal is the fundraising arm of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, aimed at saving the Tasmanian Devil from the devestating effects of the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a unique contagious cancer, spread by biting, which is consistently fatal.
- Save the Tasmanian devil
- This website is a joint initiative of the Tasmanian Government and University of Tasmania that educates the public about Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease.
Wombat Links
- Common Wombat: Animal Fact Guide
- Did you know that wombats' pouches face backwards or that their dung is cube-shaped? Learn more interesting wombat facts at Animal Fact Guide!
- Wombat Information Center
- Information and pictures of the Common and Hairy-nosed wombat, including articles about diet, habitat, distribution, behavior, life cycle, classification and physical characteristics.
- Wombat: Unique Australian Animals
- Information and photos about the wombat.
- Wombat Protection Society
- The Wombat Protection Society of Australia offers information about wombats, advice in accident and emergency, and children's activities.
Amazon Spotlight
Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series
Amazon Price: $54.99 (as of 12/03/2008)
Planet Earth captures never-before-seen footage of amazing animals around the world. Featuring many different camera angles along with super-slow-motion and amazing motion-controlled time-lapse cinematography, this DVD is one of the best wildlife documentaries ever produced.
Comment on this Australian Animals Lens
coopd wrote...
Great information. Nature is amazing and I always love learning new things. Thank you for sharing and for joining my Nature Lovers group :)
Posted September 23, 2008
