Australia claims a unique array of wildlife; around 80% of its plants, frogs, reptiles, and mammals are endemic due to the continent’s long geographic isolation. Some of this fauna include spiny anteaters, Tasmanian devils, and koalas. There really is so much wildlife in Australia we could mention, so we’ll focus on the three that have already been listed.
Fully grown koalas are approximately 20 lbs. These adorable marsupials grow to this size primarily by munching on eucalyptus trees, which also serve as their habitat and most of their water intake. Eucalyptus leaves do not provide much energy, so koalas sleep up to 22 hours a day. Although koalas appear to have soft coats, they actually have coarser wool like that of sheep. However, baby koalas or joeys do have soft coats! Most of koalas relatives are sadly extinct, but its closest living relative is the wombat. Koalas are distantly related to the Tasmanian devil.
Although Tasmanian devils are strict carnivores, they prefer raucous communal scavenging rather than hunting. In fact, devils can detect carcasses from nearly 1 km away and swim up to 50 meters in cold, frigid water. They also have a blood-curling scream, red ears, shockingly-powerful large jaws, and sharp teeth all from which the name “devil” was derived. Tasmanian devils are truly remarkable wildlife though their lifestyle is clearly different than an echidnas.
Echidnas or spiny anteaters are unique mammals belonging to the monotreme group, which means they lay eggs and produce milk for their puggles. The other animals in this category include three other types of anteaters and platypuses. Spiny anteaters have a recognizable appearance with strong limbs and a long snout. They use these features alongside their sticky tongues, sharp claws, and keen sense of smell for digging burrows and locating underground insects. When threatened, echidnas curl up into a ball exposing their sharp spines. Echidnas are fascinating creatures that play a significant role in ecosystems. Their uncommon characteristics make them a subject of interest.
Australia is home to a collection of wonderful, interesting animals. Whether you want to study burrowing echidnas, ferocious Tasmanian devils, sleepy koalas or one of the many other creatures in Australia it is sure to be intriguing!