Native Animals of Australians

Emu

This animal features on the Australian coat of arms as it is a symbol of progression. The Emu, like the Kangaroo that stands next to it, can only go forwards.

• The Emu is Australia’s largest bird and one of the more important of the Australian Native Animals. It’s name comes from the Portuguese word Ema, meaning large bird.
• They can run at speeds of 50km/h and a stride can be as long as 3m.
• They eat grasses, leaves and fruit but vary their diet by season depending on what food is available.
• They can’t fly but get out of trouble by running very fast.

Emus are hardy birds so can survive even the harshest of Australia’s climates. You could see one in the dry centre of Australia or in the tropical woodlands in the north.

Echidnas

Echidnas along with Platypus are the only egg laying mammals making them one of the more unique Australian native animals. They are recognisable by their long spikes all over their body.

• Echidnas vary in colour depending on the region. They are light brown in the north and get darker and furrier the further south you go
• Their snout is between 7 and 8cm long and is stiff to allow it to break up logs and termite mounds
• Echidnas mainly live off termites which is why they are sometimes known as the spiky ant eater.
• They vary in size between 35-53cm in length and the males can weigh up to 6kg.
• Dogs, Eagles and Dingoes are the key predators and when under attack the Echidnas will either bury itself into the ground or roll into a ball and wedge itself between rocks.
• In southern Australia the Echidnas stop eating in the colder months then eat lots in Spring.
• Echidnas can live up to 16 years but the average is about 10 years.

They are located throughout Australia but are one of the more solitary of the Australian native animals. Keep your eye out for them when bush walking. They like to shelter against rocks when it is raining or windy.

Possum

There are nearly 70 different species of possum in Australia and are most commonly found in urban areas. They have become pests given that they are usually found routing in the garbage or climbing on roofs or nearby trees.

They are generally about the size of a cat and have a long tail and look a little like a cross between a rat and a Koala. One of the more interesting native Australian animals as opinion is divided on whether these are cute or a real pain.

• They can grow up to 120cm in length
• They tend to hide in hollows in trees during the day and then forage for food during the night.
• They prefer to eat plants and fruits but have been known to eat meat if it is on offer.
• Even though possums are pests for many urban households, they cannot be baited. Instead households are advised to build them a nest away from the property or ward them off with garlic!
• Possum skin cloaks were important to the aboriginals as clan heirlooms.
• The possum can do serious damage to trees given it likes to eat the new leafy growth of trees. This makes it harder for the trees to grow
• It can see well in the dark and has a good sense of smell that it uses to find food.

You’ll most likely see one after dark in urban areas. Look in trees or listen out for them on your roof or rummaging through your garbage.

Wombat

The Wombat is a very shot legged Australian native animal of about 1m in length. It’s closest relative is the Koala and it has similar fur to the Koala

It also has a pouch where it keeps its young, making it part of the marsupial family.

• They tend to live in mountainous areas or heathland in south eastern Australia or Tasmania.
• They like to burrow into the ground and have sharp claws specifically to help them dig their burrows
• They have a backward facing pouch that enables their young not to get covered in dirt when they are digging. A rather intriguing invention making them one of the more ingenious of the Australian native animals
• The young live in the pouch for about 6 to 7 months and after that they spend time in and out of the pouch until they are about 15 months old.
• Like the Koala, the Wombat has a very slow metabolism so moves very slowly and sleeps lots.
• It takes them 14 hours to digest their food.
• They eat grasses, herbs barks and roots.
• It can reach speeds of up to 40km/h though when it needs to get itself out of trouble.
• Dingos and Tasmanian devils are their biggest predators

Tasmanian Devil

The Tasmanian devil looks like a cross between a pig and a dog and is one of the funniest looking Australian native animals.

It is about the same size of a dog but much stockier. It has a black coat and a good set of teeth including fangs.

• The Tasmanian devil makes a terribly loud screeching noise.
• It is the only surviving carnivorous marsupial (animals that have a pouch to bring up their young)
• Tasmanian devils have been known to eat small kangaroos. They generally go for wombats, snakes, insects and other reptiles.
• The Tasmanian devil stores fat in its tail. So if you see a devil with a thin tale, you’ll know it’s not too well.
• An average length of 65cm and the males weigh about 8kg.
• They tend to live 6 years in the wild but live longer in captivity.
• It is the symbol of the Tasmanian National Parks
• The biggest threat to these devils is a face skin cancer called devil facial tumour disease. The disease causes death after 12 months. It is so widespread that these animals have become a protected species.