List of Amazing Animals in Australia

List of Animals in Australia

There are a variety of different animals that call Australia home. Some of them are listed below: Koalas, Feral Bactrian camels, Antilopine kangaroo, Fairy penguins, and more.

Keep reading to learn more about each animal. Hopefully this list of animals in Australia will help you decide which animals you would like to visit. After all, you’ll get a chance to see all of Australia’s diverse species up close.

Antilopine kangaroo

If you’re making a list of animals native to Australia, you’ll find the Antilopine kangaroo on it. These animals have large bodies and doe-like eyes.

Males have reddish-tan upper parts, while females are gray with black tipped feet. They live an average of 16 years. They are herbivores that eat short grass and low tussocks, as well as trees that have recently been burned during forest fires.

Feral Bactrian camels

The IUCN classifies camels as feral, or “wild,” animals. They are descended from domesticated animals released into the wild, and their presence has significantly damaged the ecology.

In fact, camels cause far more ecological damage than kangaroos do, and are one of the biggest threats to the Australian Outback. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help the animals survive.

Fairy penguins

The fairy penguin is an endangered species found in Australia. They have little natural predators but have been plagued by invasive species. These animals are threatened by dogs, cats, rats, and fishing nets.

Pollution and oil spills are also a threat, as plastics suffocate the penguin’s sense of smell.

Climate change is also a factor, as the temperature of the southwestern part of Australia is rising. This lack of food and excessive heat on land are threatening the animals’ survival.

Koalas

With the recent announcement of a new listing for endangered species, koalas have taken a major step toward saving their future. Previously listed as vulnerable species, koalas were facing extinction due to a range of factors.

While it is difficult to estimate their numbers precisely, conservationists say their numbers are likely to fall as low as 92,000 by 2021.

A recent parliamentary investigation warned that koalas will go extinct by 2050 if they are not protected. But the koala’s future is uncertain, and they may not be saved from extinction.

• Koalas are omnivores

Although Koalas are omnivore animals, their diets are not exactly balanced. They eat both plant and animal matter. Koalas do not drink much water and get moisture from eucalyptus leaves that they store in their cheek pouches.

In the past, hunting for their fur was a major threat to their numbers. However, koalas are now facing even more serious threats because of habitat loss and land clearing.

While koalas need an average of 100 trees to survive, Australia’s woodlands continue to shrink, and the threatening practices of farmers, ranchers, and property owners are destroying their homes and livelihoods.

• Koalas are not bears

Despite what you may think, koalas are not bears in Australia. Despite their name, the koala is a marsupial belonging to the genus Metatheria. Koalas are native to Australia but not as common as they were 200 years ago. While koalas live on the mainland, some islands are home to koalas.

• Koalas are not venomous as snakes

Although it may be frightening to think of a venomous snake, Koalas are actually not venomous. They are nocturnal mammals that live in eucalypt forests along the coast of eastern Australia.

Koalas grow up to 80 cm tall and weigh fourteen kilograms/31 pounds. The joey, the young koala, hides in its mother’s pouch for the first six months. Koalas sleep up to 20 hours a day and eat eucalyptus leaves.

Dugongs

You might have heard of dugongs. These animals live in the sea, and their numbers have decreased in recent years.

The IUCN lists dugongs as “vulnerable to extinction.” They are targeted for food, oil, leather, and traditional medicine, and are even used as ornaments. Because of their widespread use, dugongs are often trapped in fishing nets. Sadly, there are not enough laws in place to protect these gentle giants.

Tasmanian devils are extinct

The Tasmanian devil is a large, nocturnal marsupial native to Tasmania, Australia. Its size and shape are reminiscent of baby bears.

Its short, thick tail and large, broad head are striking and distinctive, and its body size varies greatly depending on its habitat.

Male Tasmanian devils can grow up to 12 kg, and they stand 30 cm at the shoulder. Sadly, this marsupial is threatened by a deadly disease known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease. The disease has no known cure, and it is becoming extinct in Australia.

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