Australian AnimalsPhoto Albums |
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The most famous group of animals are marsupials which are a class of mammal. Notable marsupials include Kangaroos, Wallabies, Koalas, Wombats, Tasmanian Devils, and Possums. A more unusual class of mammals are Monotremes which include the Echidna and Platypus. The latter is unusual in that it lays eggs, is venomous, has a bill like a duck, a tail like a beaver, feet similar to an otter, and is a mammal. European naturalists were initially baffled when they first encountered it, with some considering the animal to be a hoax.
Other animals of note are the Dingo which is Australia's native dog are related to wolves and modern dogs, and are regarded as unchanged descendants of an early ancestor to modern dogs.
Australia is also one of the worlds hotspots for birds. From the second tallest bird in the world, the emu, and the third tallest, the rare Cassowary down to Cockatoos, Kookaburras, and a huge group of parrots.
Fauna that poses danger to people include spiders such as the Funnel Web and Redback. Australia has most of the worlds most venomous snakes. In order of the most venomous, there is the Belcher's Sea Snake, Inland Taipan, Australian Brown Snake, Tiger Snake, Beaked Sea Snake, Death Adder, Copperhead, and the Red-bellied Black. Both salt and freshwater crocodiles are found in the tropics, which comprises an area of the top third of Australia. Sea creatures to be avoided include some sea snakes, sharks and the Box Jelly Fish, which are many times more venomous than snakes. The Box Jelly Fish or Stingers as they are also known are only a threat during the summer season in tropical Australia.
Original versions of our photos can be purchased & web versions can be shared subject to conditions.