Of the bird species listed in Australia , about half are found nowhere else, the most popular being the large flightless emu, which stands nearly two metres tall. Australia has a vast array of waterbirds, seabirds and birds that dwell in open woodlands and forests, including black swans, fairy penguins, kookaburras, and lyrebirds. There are 55 species of colourful parrots in Australia, and a spectacular variety of cockatoos, rosellas, lorikeets, parakeets, and budgerigars.
You can learn more about marine environments with our Exploring Our Ocean course. Distinctive marine species include the predatory great white shark, which grows up to six metres in length; the giant filter-feeding whale shark, which can reach lengths of up to 12 metres; and the box jellyfish, which is one of the most venomous animals in the world.
Based on evolutionary history and fossil evidence from about million years ago, the world had just one huge super-continent called Pangaea. Around 50 million years later, this super-continent broke up into two continents, known as Laurasia and Gondwana.
When this separation took place, monotremes and marsupials were the predominant mammals of the Gondwana tropical forest region, while placental mammals evolved in Laurasia. Then, about million years ago, in the Jurassic Period, the western half of Gondwana, which included Africa and South America, separated from the eastern half which included Madagascar, India, Australia, and Antarctica.
Gradually or 40 million years later, India separated from Antarctica and Australia, creating the Indian Ocean. Together, Australia and Antarctica slowly drifted to the southern region and thus became completely isolated from the rest of the world by vast oceans. Australia finally separated from Antarctica 50 million years ago. As it drifted away from the southern polar region, its climate became warmer and drier, and new species of animals evolved and came to dominate the landscape.
As it turned out, monotremes and marsupials, with their less demanding reproductive systems, were more suitable for this new environment and became the dominant animals in Australia. The animals which were originally on the Australian landmass no longer had contact with creatures from other parts of the world and so continued to evolve independently. This separate evolution has resulted in some unusual Australian animals and is the reason why Australian native animals are so different from those found elsewhere in the world.
Koalas live in eucalyptus tree branches and can sleep up to hours a day. While most Australian states prohibit koala cuddles, you can have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at three Australian states. There are 55 different native species of kangaroos and wallabies — a smaller species of kangaroo. In their natural habitat, you will spot a kangaroo roaming the grassy areas of the bush, on beaches across the Australian coastline, or hopping across the red sand in the iconic Aussie outback plains.
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We are here for you and now, better than ever so sit back and enjoy the new Fibromyalgia Treating by RedOrbit! Comments comments. When I travel to Australia, many people envy me because of the unique Australian animals I probably get to see. Koalas and Kangaroos are well-known and loved all over the world. I am always happy when I see one of the cuties in the wild.
It is very special, and different than marvelling at them at a zoo. But there are other people I know who would never go because of all the dangerous creatures in Australia. They really don't know what they miss!
However, for most people in the northern hemisphere the Australian wildlife is just something special, despite spiders, snakes and crocodiles.
In this section about Australian animals I am going to tell you about the most common and cutest, as well as the most dangerous species of native Australian animals.
You also learn why many introduced animals are considered "a pest" in Australia. I don't think so. I always say to myself and to the worried people "Hey, more than 20 million people live down under. It can't be that dangerous! Climatic and geologic events helped Australia to form its unique fauna. Australia was part of Gondwana , the huge super-continent of the southern hemisphere.
About 50 million years ago Australia became an island. Due to this isolation and the lack of predators, Australia's unique fauna developed. Marsupials that originated in Gondwana adapted in Australia, and survived until today. Australia's climate became drier about 15 million years ago, resulting in more uniquely adapted species. Now this is only a very short introduction into the geology of Australia.
I really don't want to bother you with a lengthy scientific excursion. If you are interested to read more, you'll find some interesting books at the bottom of this page. Kangaroos and Koalas are marsupials everyone outside Australia knows. Marsupials appeared about million years ago and are the second oldest type of mammal found in Australia.
Once Australia separated from the other continents and started drifting away the marsupials stranded on it didn't have any competition from placental mammals. Without competition, the marsupials diverged into over different species found in Australia today.
They occupy every niche of the Australian habitat and range from the large red kangaroo to marsupials of the smaller than a mouse. What is a Marsupial?
Placental mammals are relatively recent arrivals to Australia. Bats were the first to arrive getting here about 23 million years ago. Rodents arrived about million years ago. These animals reached Australia by flying and crossing the seas that separated Australian from Asia when Australia slowly started drifting closer to Asia making crossings to the continent possible. These placental mammals make up a very small percentage of the total mammalian population.
Humans introduced a number of animals. The dingo was the first of these, arriving in Australia about 5, years ago. What is a Placental? Snakes — Australia has more venomous snakes than non-venomous ones. The red-bellied black snake is one. Crocodiles — Australia has two species of crocodiles. The saltwater crocodile is the world's largest and can grow to 1, kilos and is known to attack humans. Freshwater crocodiles are much smaller and do not attack humans.
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