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Australia is rich in animal species. There is around 240
species of mammals, 800 species of birds, 380 species of reptiles, 122 species
of frogs, and 180 species of freshwater fish. Some 83% of mammals, 89% of reptiles, 90% of fish and insects and 93% of amphibians that inhabit the continent are endemic to Australia.
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 an egg-laying, venomous, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal which baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate hoax.
Other animals of note are the Dingo which is Australia's native dog and has features in common with both wolves and modern dogs, and are regarded as more or less unchanged descendants of an early ancestor of 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 to be wary of include spiders such as the Redback and Funnel Web. Australia has the most poisonous snakes on earth, including the Venomous Brown, Tiger, Death Adder, Copperhead and red bellied black varieties. 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.