A-Z List of Native Australian Animals with Pictures
Australia is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Some of the animals found here are very unique, and are not found anywhere else in the world. This Buzzle article provides an A-Z list of the native animals of Australia with their pictures.
These are Some Quirky Aussies!
✦ The platypus can stay underwater for 10 minutes before it needs to surface for air.
✦ The quokka looks like it has a smile on its face, thus being called the happiest animal in the world.
✦ The Tasmanian devil yawns at its threat, as if to show that it does not care!
The fauna of Australia is very diverse and unique. Most of the native animals here have adapted themselves in appearance and characteristics according to their habitat and its climate. These animals are one-of-a-kind, amazing to study, and downright cute!
The following paragraphs provide a list of those creatures―wonders from the land down under―that call Australia their home.
✦ The platypus can stay underwater for 10 minutes before it needs to surface for air.
✦ The quokka looks like it has a smile on its face, thus being called the happiest animal in the world.
✦ The Tasmanian devil yawns at its threat, as if to show that it does not care!
The fauna of Australia is very diverse and unique. Most of the native animals here have adapted themselves in appearance and characteristics according to their habitat and its climate. These animals are one-of-a-kind, amazing to study, and downright cute!
The following paragraphs provide a list of those creatures―wonders from the land down under―that call Australia their home.
Australian Giant Cuttlefish
Scientific Name - Sepia apama
IUCN Conservation status - Near Threatened
The Australian giant cuttlefish is the largest of its species. It is found from Queensland in Southern Australia to Shark Bay in the west. It has a unique camouflaging ability, and can blend into any surrounding by changing its body color. It falls into the class of Cephalopods, like squid and octopuses. It can grow up to a meter in length, and weigh over 11 kg (25 pounds). This fish has a very beautiful mating ritual; when the male tries to attract the female, lines of various colors pass across his body.
IUCN Conservation status - Near Threatened
The Australian giant cuttlefish is the largest of its species. It is found from Queensland in Southern Australia to Shark Bay in the west. It has a unique camouflaging ability, and can blend into any surrounding by changing its body color. It falls into the class of Cephalopods, like squid and octopuses. It can grow up to a meter in length, and weigh over 11 kg (25 pounds). This fish has a very beautiful mating ritual; when the male tries to attract the female, lines of various colors pass across his body.
Australian Mole
Genus - Notoryctes
IUCN Conservation status - Endangered
The mole is a burrowing animal that is divided into two species: the northern marsupial mole and the southern marsupial mole. This animal is found in the western, southern, and northern parts of Australia. Unlike other species of moles, the above two are marsupials. The body length of this animal can be between 5 to 8 inches, and the color can be reddish-brown or cream. The population of both the species is at risk due to predators and habitat loss.
IUCN Conservation status - Endangered
The mole is a burrowing animal that is divided into two species: the northern marsupial mole and the southern marsupial mole. This animal is found in the western, southern, and northern parts of Australia. Unlike other species of moles, the above two are marsupials. The body length of this animal can be between 5 to 8 inches, and the color can be reddish-brown or cream. The population of both the species is at risk due to predators and habitat loss.
Australian Pelican
Scientific Name - Pelecanus conspicillatus
IUCN Conservation status - Least Concern
One of the many species of pelicans, the Australian pelican is found all throughout the continent of Australia. It occupies freshwater and estuarine habitats such as rivers, lakes, swamps, etc. It is white in color, with black wings, and a very long beak with a gular pouch under it. The average weight of this bird is 5 to 8 kg (10 to 17 pounds), but some individuals can weigh more. It has a massive wingspan of 2 to 2.5 meters. This bird has the longest beak among all species of extant birds.
IUCN Conservation status - Least Concern
One of the many species of pelicans, the Australian pelican is found all throughout the continent of Australia. It occupies freshwater and estuarine habitats such as rivers, lakes, swamps, etc. It is white in color, with black wings, and a very long beak with a gular pouch under it. The average weight of this bird is 5 to 8 kg (10 to 17 pounds), but some individuals can weigh more. It has a massive wingspan of 2 to 2.5 meters. This bird has the longest beak among all species of extant birds.
Bandicoot
Order - Peramelemorphia
IUCN Conservation status - Variable with Species
The bandicoot is found all over Australia and lives in a varied habitat. There are 20 species of bandicoots that belong to the order Peramelemorphia. This animal looks like a rat, but it is actually a marsupial like the koalas; it carries its young one in a pouch. It has a tapering, pointed snout, a long and thin tail, a hunched back, and pointed teeth. This animal is an omnivore that eats roaches, spiders, berries, seeds, insects, etc. It digs the soil to retrieve prey, and hence, it is considered useful by gardeners.
IUCN Conservation status - Variable with Species
The bandicoot is found all over Australia and lives in a varied habitat. There are 20 species of bandicoots that belong to the order Peramelemorphia. This animal looks like a rat, but it is actually a marsupial like the koalas; it carries its young one in a pouch. It has a tapering, pointed snout, a long and thin tail, a hunched back, and pointed teeth. This animal is an omnivore that eats roaches, spiders, berries, seeds, insects, etc. It digs the soil to retrieve prey, and hence, it is considered useful by gardeners.
Bottlenose Dolphin
Genus - Tursiops
IUCN Conservation status - Least Concern
Of the three species of bottlenose dolphin, two are found in Australia. The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is found in northern Australia, whereas the Burrunan dolphin is found in Victoria. This dolphin receives its name due to the shape of its snout, which is round and short, like a bottle. It has a gray back with an off-white underside, and its body length is 2 to 4 meters. It commonly inhabits warm and temperate waters. Although it is killed for various reasons, there is no immediate threat to its population.
IUCN Conservation status - Least Concern
Of the three species of bottlenose dolphin, two are found in Australia. The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is found in northern Australia, whereas the Burrunan dolphin is found in Victoria. This dolphin receives its name due to the shape of its snout, which is round and short, like a bottle. It has a gray back with an off-white underside, and its body length is 2 to 4 meters. It commonly inhabits warm and temperate waters. Although it is killed for various reasons, there is no immediate threat to its population.
Scientific Name - Grus rubicunda
IUCN Conservation status - Least Concern
The brolga is a native bird of Australia, which is also called the Australian crane. This bird is found in Queensland, Victoria, and Northern and Western Australia. It is between 2 to 4 feet tall, has a long neck and beak, and skinny legs. Its head is featherless, while the rest of the body has whitish-gray feathers. It is the official bird emblem of Queensland, before which it appeared on the state's coat of arms. Its population is on the decline, mainly due to habitat loss.
Cassowary
Genus - Casuarius
IUCN Conservation status - Endangered
The cassowary is a flightless bird that is found in the rainforests of Northeast Australia. Its population is limited to this area because it is endangered, mainly due to habitat loss. There are three species of this bird, the southern, northern, and dwarf Cassowary, although not much is known about either. This bird has small wings, two very powerful legs with claws, and a crest on its head called a casque. It is basically a shy creature, but is known to deliver a very powerful kick if threatened. There have been records of cassowary attacks on humans.
IUCN Conservation status - Endangered
The cassowary is a flightless bird that is found in the rainforests of Northeast Australia. Its population is limited to this area because it is endangered, mainly due to habitat loss. There are three species of this bird, the southern, northern, and dwarf Cassowary, although not much is known about either. This bird has small wings, two very powerful legs with claws, and a crest on its head called a casque. It is basically a shy creature, but is known to deliver a very powerful kick if threatened. There have been records of cassowary attacks on humans.
Common Barn Owl
Scientific Name - Tyto alba
IUCN Conservation status - N.A.
Found all throughout Australia (including Tasmania), the common barn owl is known by many names. Some of them are, hobby owl, gold owl, night owl, silver owl, hissing owl, screech owl, delicate owl, etc. It has a white face, with light-brown patches below the eyes, a whitish-pink beak, and brownish-black eyes. Being a nocturnal bird, it is active at dusk. It has the ability to glide noiselessly in air. Its habitat consists of woodlands, moors, etc.
IUCN Conservation status - N.A.
Found all throughout Australia (including Tasmania), the common barn owl is known by many names. Some of them are, hobby owl, gold owl, night owl, silver owl, hissing owl, screech owl, delicate owl, etc. It has a white face, with light-brown patches below the eyes, a whitish-pink beak, and brownish-black eyes. Being a nocturnal bird, it is active at dusk. It has the ability to glide noiselessly in air. Its habitat consists of woodlands, moors, etc.
Dingo
Scientific Name - Canis lupus dingo
IUCN Conservation status - Vulnerable
The dingo is a wild dog that is found in Australia. It is quite common in Northern and Central Australia, but rare in the Southern regions. It is not found in Tasmania. On an average, it weighs between 13 to 24 kg (28 to 50 pounds), and is between 20 to 24 inches tall. It has a yellow to red coat, but rare black or white dingoes are also found. It has a sharp sense of hearing, and it is the biggest land predator in Australia. One unique feature of this dog is that it howls instead of barking.
IUCN Conservation status - Vulnerable
The dingo is a wild dog that is found in Australia. It is quite common in Northern and Central Australia, but rare in the Southern regions. It is not found in Tasmania. On an average, it weighs between 13 to 24 kg (28 to 50 pounds), and is between 20 to 24 inches tall. It has a yellow to red coat, but rare black or white dingoes are also found. It has a sharp sense of hearing, and it is the biggest land predator in Australia. One unique feature of this dog is that it howls instead of barking.
Dugong
Scientific Name - Dugong dugon
IUCN Conservation status - Vulnerable
The dugong is a large sea mammal that belongs to the order Sirenia, along with the manatees. The biggest population of this animal is found in Australia, right from Queensland to Shark Bay. It prefers to inhabit warm, tropical waters. This animal can grow more than 3 meters in length and weigh more than a thousand pounds. Due to its huge size, it tends to move slowly. It is a very docile creature that was extensively hunted for its skin and bones, but it is now a protected species.
IUCN Conservation status - Vulnerable
The dugong is a large sea mammal that belongs to the order Sirenia, along with the manatees. The biggest population of this animal is found in Australia, right from Queensland to Shark Bay. It prefers to inhabit warm, tropical waters. This animal can grow more than 3 meters in length and weigh more than a thousand pounds. Due to its huge size, it tends to move slowly. It is a very docile creature that was extensively hunted for its skin and bones, but it is now a protected species.
Eastern Snake-necked Turtle
Scientific Name - Chelodina longicollis
IUCN Conservation status - Least Concern
This is a turtle with a really long neck! It is found in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Adelaide. It inhabits freshwater bodies like rivers or streams. The length of this turtle's neck is more than half the length of its shell or carapace. The shell is black to brown in color, while the underside is cream. The feet are webbed for swimming purposes. Another name given to this creature is 'stinker', because it emits a very bad-smelling liquid if threatened, which is enough to ward off any predator.
IUCN Conservation status - Least Concern
This is a turtle with a really long neck! It is found in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Adelaide. It inhabits freshwater bodies like rivers or streams. The length of this turtle's neck is more than half the length of its shell or carapace. The shell is black to brown in color, while the underside is cream. The feet are webbed for swimming purposes. Another name given to this creature is 'stinker', because it emits a very bad-smelling liquid if threatened, which is enough to ward off any predator.
Echidna
Order - Monotremata
IUCN Conservation status - Least Concern
The echidna is a monotreme (egg-laying mammal) like the platypus. It is found all over Australia. There are two species of echidna: the short-beaked and the long-beaked ones. Of the 5 short-beaked subspecies, 4 are found in Australia. Long-beaked echidnas are common in New Guinea. This animal resembles a porcupine, with a spiny body that is about 11 inches long. Its snout resembles an anteater's, and it has a sticky tongue to catch ants and termites.
IUCN Conservation status - Least Concern
The echidna is a monotreme (egg-laying mammal) like the platypus. It is found all over Australia. There are two species of echidna: the short-beaked and the long-beaked ones. Of the 5 short-beaked subspecies, 4 are found in Australia. Long-beaked echidnas are common in New Guinea. This animal resembles a porcupine, with a spiny body that is about 11 inches long. Its snout resembles an anteater's, and it has a sticky tongue to catch ants and termites.
Emu
Scientific Name - Dromaius novaehollandiae
IUCN Conservation status - Least Concern
The emu is a flightless bird; the largest Australian native avian, and second largest in the world. It is found throughout Australia, except Tasmania. It is more than 2 meters in height and weighs more than 45 kg (100 pounds). It has no feathers on its neck and head, and the rest of the body has a plumage in various shades of brown. It has short wings, rendering it flightless, but very powerful legs, with three toes on each foot.
IUCN Conservation status - Least Concern
The emu is a flightless bird; the largest Australian native avian, and second largest in the world. It is found throughout Australia, except Tasmania. It is more than 2 meters in height and weighs more than 45 kg (100 pounds). It has no feathers on its neck and head, and the rest of the body has a plumage in various shades of brown. It has short wings, rendering it flightless, but very powerful legs, with three toes on each foot.
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