1. The iconic Kangaroo is an Aussie favourite!
Image Source: Reddit
Kangaroos are an absolute Aussie ICON! These peppy marsupials have super powerful hind legs, allowing them to bounce around the outback at speeds of up to 40 mph!! They have pouches to carry around their babies, known as Joeys, to help keep them safe from all of Australia’s scary predators. Their speed and strength make them surprisingly formidable fighters- thank goodness they’re herbivores!
2. Koala bears are super cute- but they have a dirty secret
Image Source: Reddit
The Koala, an Australian marsupial, is an icon of cuteness. They spend most of their lives hanging out in the trees, feeding their eucalyptus habit. Their fluffy ears and cuddly demeanour make them a tourist favourite but, be careful, they might not be quite an innocent as they look- almost half the koalas in Queensland have Chlamydia! Although obviously no one should be getting too, ahem, up close and personal with these creatures, accidental contact with their urine could infect a human with the dreaded clap!
3. They recently discovered a brand new species of trapdoor spider. Is this really cause for celebration?!
Image Source: The Guardian
Any arachnophobic readers- look away now! Biologists in Australia, specifically the Queensland area, have discovered a brand new eight legged friend to keep an eye out for. The Euoplos dignitas, or Giant Trapdoor Spiders, are unique in their method of hunting: they set up intricate trapdoors for their prey, crafted from their silk. Michael Rix, the principal curator of arachnology at the Queensland Museum Network, spoke about the spiders in interview, claiming, "It's a big, beautiful species". Big? yes, Beautiful? I guess it's in the eye of the beholder!
4. Rainbow Lorikeets are the fashionistas of the rainforest
Image Source: Reddit
It doesn’t matter what colors are in or out this season, the Rainbow Lorikeet is rocking a bonanza of brights in their plumage year in, year out! And, known for their cheeky and playful sides, they have the personalities to match. They chatter away melodically, making them a treat for the ears as well as the eyes. They can swoop around at up to 50km an hour, and even though they live fast they tend not to die young- living for 10 to 15 years in the wild.
5. You better watch out for the Tasmanian Devil
Image Source: The Denver Post
Think something called a Tasmanian Devil sounds scary? Well, you’d be right! These marsupials are carnivorous and known for their aggressive and fierce demeanor. They mainly eat carrion but their jaws pack a powerful bite, and their stocky build makes them formidable predators. So, if you’re hanging out in Tasmania and you hear one of their spine-tingling screeches, you better watch out. They aren't really dangerous to humans, the largest thing they'd eat would be a young kangaroo, but they could give your ankles quite a nip.
6. Wombats have super strong butts!
Image Source: Reddit
Check out these nocturnal cuties! Another marsupial, these guys use their strong claws to dig the burrows they are renowned for. Stout and squat, they spend their time digging around for grass and roots to nibble on. They sleep by day and come out at night, and if any nasty nocturnal predators creep up on them, the wombats have a secret weapon: their butts! They have really tough, reinforced rumps, so they can run head first into their burrows and use it as a kind of shield!!
7. Duck-billed platypuses are one of nature's quirky characters
Image Source: Reddit
These are fascinating creatures across the board: from they way they look, to the way they give birth. These quirky little guys are monotremes: a rare sort of mammal that lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young. You can see their distinctive duck-like bill and webbed feet, paired with a little furry torso. In fact they have two coats of fur, so that they can trap a layer of air between them to make them more buoyant. This comes in handy as they spend a lot of their lives in fresh water, where they hunt for prey using electronic impulses to detect their prey - just like sharks do! To add to their mystique, they emit a bio fluorescent green-blue glow under UV light- and no one knows why…
8. Emus are the second largest bird in the world
Image Source: KSTP.com
Emus might not be able to fly, but they make up for it with their speed on land: with their long legs built for running, they can sprint at speeds of up to 30mph! At those speeds in the dusty outback, it’s lucky that they have two sets of eye lids: one for blinking, and the other for dislodging dust. At up to 2m tall the only bird bigger is the Ostrich- plus their eggs, which are a beautiful blue/green colour- are the largest laid by any bird (ouch!).
9. Quokka's are the world's happiest animals
Image Source: Pop Sugar
If you travel to the Rottnest Island, near Perth, you’re in for a cute surprise. This little island is home to around 10,000 Quokkas- known unofficially as the “world’s happiest animal”! They are super sociable, posing for photos with tourist with apparent glee, and seem to be living their best lives in this island paradise. They’re related to Kangaroos, but they’re much more huggable!
10. The Tasmanian Tiger could be lost to extinction
Image Source: CNN
Despite being known as a tiger and looking like a dog, the Tasmanian Tiger (or Thylacine) was neither a cat nor a canine, but rather a carnivorous marsupial. Sadly, it is believed this beautiful creature could have been extinct since as long ago at the 1930s due to hunting and loss of habitat. Unconfirmed sightings over the years have lead some to hope there could be a few left in the wild.
11. Sugar gliders are as sweet as they sound
Image Source: Janda Exotics
Sugar Gliders, another type of tiny marsupials found only in Australia, are known for their majestic gliding ability. A membrane between their wrists and ankles allows them to glide from tree to tree, resembling miniature flying squirrels. In the wild, they only live in Australia, but their huge gorgeous eyes, little pink noses, and fluffy coats have made them sought after ‘exotic’ pets in some places around the globe.
12. Kookaburras sound like they're having a laugh
Image Source: Reddit
If you’re out birdwatching in Australia and you think you hear someone LOLLING at you, it might actually be coming from a Kookaburra! Yes, these cheeky feathered friends have a distinctive laughter-life call. They’re the largest member of the Kingfisher family, and can often be seen perching on telephone wires laughing away. Their unique song has gained them a place in the nation's heart as one of the outback's signature sounds.
13. Echidnas: tiny, spiny, and weird!
There’s no way of getting round it: Echidnas are weirdos. These egg laying mammals have no nipples or teeth- but the males do have a four-headed penis (talk about overkill!). These little porcupine lookalikes have pointy spines for protection, and long tongues to slurp up ants like an anteater. These spiky little wonders are little mysteries of the animal kingdom- good for them for being a bit different!
14. Numbats are little termite hoovers
Image Caption: Reddit
You’ve already heard of the Wombat, now meet the Numbat! Locals love these little guys so much that the term ‘numbat’ is slang for someone who’s cutely silly- and the creature itself is the mascot of Western Australia. They have a striking coat of stripes, grow to around 42cm long, and are nature’s little termite busters, slurping up termites like an Anteater scoffs ants.
15. Wallabies are like mini Kangaroos- adorable!
Image Source: Reddit
Oh, the wallaby, Australia's pocket-sized kangaroo cousin! With their cute faces and bouncy hopping, it’s hard not to have your heart melted looking at one. They’re herbivores, and it’s their strong hind legs that allow them to bounce over long distances at speed. There’s around 30 different species of wallaby to spot if you’re ever in Australia or the surrounding islands.
16. Never smile at a (Freshwater) crocodile
Image Source: Reddit
Although you can find some freshwater crocs in some parts of Papua New Guinea and some neighboring islands, Australian streams and rivers are by far their main stomping ground. These dinosaur lookalikes are apparently less aggressive than their salt-water cousins, but we still wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of one! They are fascinating creatures, though- did you know that they swallow stones to aid with their digestion?
17. The Bilby is Australia's answer to the Easter bunny!
Image Source: Reddit
Meet the Bilby- yet another cute marsupial that can melt your heart down under! They may be small, but they have huge eyes and truly giant ears- and their passion for digging is massive too. They tunnel away so they can hide away from the extreme heat of Australia. They name Bilby comes from an Aboriginal word meaning “long nosed rat”, but they’re also often referred to as “rabbit bandicoots”, “dalygtes” or even as Australia’s Easter Bunny.
18. You should be wary of the Cassowary bird!
Image Source: Reddit
This prehistoric-looking bird is the ultimate dinosaur of the avian world. Armed with dagger-like claws and a helmeted head, the Cassowary survives in the Aussie rainforest. Crossing its path with this jungle warrior can be perilous, as they’ve been known to be aggressive. Plus these heavyweights are not only the second weightiest bird in the world, but are one of the closest living relatives to dinosaurs alive today.
19. Pademelons are super agile
Image Source: Reddit
The Tasmanian Pademelons are Australia’s little pocket rockets! Despite their pint-sized stature, they’re super agile and are actually born acrobats! They live in the rainforest as well as the grasslands, zooming around and generally being adorable. Have you ever seen an animal so huggable?! Despite being preyed on by other Tasmanian predators of the island, including Tasmanian devils, quolls, and eagles, they are still very abundant.
20. Great White Sharks aka JAWS
Image Source: Cosmos Magazine
Whilst not found exclusively in Australia, these toothy terrors are certainly an iconic element of Australian wildlife. These apex predators have an amazingly developed sense of smell, so strong that they can detect a drop of blood in a million parts of water. Plus, their teeth regenerate, so even if they loose a few chomping through a seal, they'll grow right back. This must come in handy given how long they live- some estimates suggesting they can stick around for 70 years or more!
21. Spotted tail quolls act as pest control by hunting at night
Image Source: Reddit
Quolls, those spotty Australian cuties, are like the guardians of the night! With a dash of cat and a sprinkle of mongoose, they're agile hunters who keep the bush's pest population in check. They roam the dark and have been known to cover up to 6km in a single night- not bad for an animal only 2kgs heavy. In fact, when they're born quolls are only the size of a grain of rice!
22. Brush-tailed Possums roam the trees in the night
The Brush-tailed Possum, a true Aussie superstar! With their fluffy tails and a knack for acrobatics, they're like the treetop trapeze artists. These nocturnal daredevils chomp on eucalyptus leaves and occasionally raid your fruit bowl if you leave it out too late. They're the cheeky entertainers of the night- but they can get away with it with eyes like those!
23. Australian Fur Seals can dive up to 200 metres deep
Image Source: Reddit
Time to meet a coastal charmer, in the form of the Australian Fur Seal. With their sleek fur coats and playful antics, they're the ocean's social butterflies. These carnivorous swimmers are top-notch hunters- on the prowl for fish and quids to munch on, they can dive up to 200m deep. With all those great whites around, it’s a good job they’re speedy!
24. Eastern/Tasmanian Bettongs look very polite
Image Source: Go Birding
As you’re probably gathering by now, Tasmania especially is a hub for unique Australian wildlife. Yet another pint-sized inhabitant of this biodiverse island state is the Tasmanian Bettong. These little foragers are ecosystem heroes, helping to disperse seeds and keep the Aussie bush thriving. Bettongs prove that even the smallest critters have a big impact!
25. There aren't many Gouldian Finches left
Image Source: Reddit
The Gouldian Finch, a stunning Australian songbird! Known for its vibrant plumage with red, green, and black varieties, these small finches are a delight for birdwatchers. Gouldian Finches are also unique- get ready for some science! They're one of the few bird species that exhibit sexual dichromatism, meaning males and females have different colorations.
26. 'Blue-tongued Skink' kind of sounds like an insult?!
Image Source: Reddit
If someone called me a blue-tongued skink, I’d take offence! But this is actually the name of a rather beautiful Australian lizard with, you guessed it, a distinctive blue tongue that acts as a warning for predators. They’re ground-dwellers found in various habitats, so in the wild they hang out everywhere from forests to suburban gardens. These omnivores chow down on insects, fruits, and plants. Their funky appearance and docile nature make them popular pet, too.
27. Eastern Water Dragons can't breathe fire but are still pretty cool
Image Source: Reddit
Fantasy fans will be thrilled- you can even spot DRAGONS in Australia! Sadly, these guys can’t actually breathe fire or fly (as far as we know…), but they’re still pretty cool to any reptile fan. Plus, they’re relatable- they love basking on rocks near rivers and lakes, stretching out in the sun, and who doesn’t love that? When they’re not kicking back relaxing, they are adept at swimming Australia’s waterways feasting on insects, small fish, and plants. They can even thrive in cities with waterways: their adaptability to both urban and natural environments showcases Australia's diverse wildlife resilience.
28. The waters are haunted by a species called the 'Demon Shark'- eek!
Image Source: Discover Magazine
I'd advise skipping this one if you're planning on going swimming on a trip down under! Scientists were shocked to identify a brand new species of shark in early 2023, so far only found in Australian waters. The Demon Shark (full name a
pristurus ovicorrugatus if you want to impress your friends!) has eery white eyes, which are incredibly unusual for a deep-sea dweller. It's also rare in that it lays eggs rather than birthing live young. Lucky for water sports enthusiasts not keen on running into one, it tends to live deep deep down in the water.
29. The grey-headed flying fox isn't actually a fox at all
Image Source: Don't Shoot Bats
Don't be fooled by the colloquial name of
Pteropus poliocephalus, aka the The Grey-headed Flying Fox- this is actually a kind of bat. Their wingspans can measure up to a whopping 3.3 feet (1 meter), making them one of the largest species of bat globally. They're pretty chatty, with their calls varying between chirps, barks and even screeches. Don't be scared if you feel a few swooping around in the night- they feed primarily on nectar and pollen from flowering eucalyptus.
30. Whip snakes are best avoided when out in the bush
Image Source: Reddit
Museum and university researchers banded together in the Australian outback and managed to identify a new species- the desert whip snake. It's scientific name is
Demansia Cyanochasma, and luckily these 70cm long snakes are conflict averse when it comes to humans. Still, they are venomous so take care- a bite would be very painful and swollen after a few minutes.