If you plan to travel to Australia, you should know there’s much to see, and no one can deny that. While many focus on cities and beaches, the animals of Australia are a whole world of their own to discover. Of course, we’re talking about the world’s largest island, which has vast biodiversity.
Australia’s wildlife is both unique and distinctive. What do you think of when someone mentions kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wombats, and koalas? Australia, right? Australian animals are famous worldwide.
Keep reading because we’ll tell you about Australia’s rarest and most popular animals, and endangered species, and a few extra fun facts. Let’s get started!
10 Famous, Rare, and Charming Animals of Australia
Australia is known for being a modern and attractive destination. You only need to visit its major cities to realise this. However, Australia is also a wild country. Across its vast territory, there are natural reserves, stunning parks, and deserts.
These places aren’t only home to Australia’s flora; they also host hundreds of animals of Australia. For instance, the red crabs of Christmas Island, whose migration is a true spectacle. This is why Australia is a favourite destination for those studying animal-related fields.
We could mention many Australian animals, but we want to introduce you to the 10 most iconic ones.
1. The Dunnart: One of Australia’s Smallest Animals
The dunnart is better known as the marsupial mouse, and it’s one of the smallest animals in Australia. It’s also famous for being incredibly fast.
There are about 29 known species of these Australian animals, so their lifespan varies greatly. For example, the hairy-footed dunnart can live up to 5 years, while the fat-tailed dunnart only lives for 15 months.
However, all dunnarts have nocturnal habits in common. They are also insectivores, feeding on insects such as cockroaches, spiders, and crickets, which are abundant in Australia.
2. The Wombat: One of Australia’s Most Elusive Animals
The wombat is one of the most elusive animals in Australia. Seeing one of these Australian animals in daylight is quite a challenge, as they don’t seem to enjoy being around people much.
This is ironic because, years ago, these Australian animals were raised as pets! As you can see, Aussies are quite eccentric. However, this practice was banned as it endangered the species.
Besides, keeping animals in Australia that is one metre long and weigh between 20 to 30 kilograms as pets is no easy task. The good news is they are easy to feed, as wombats are herbivores.
3. The Kangaroo: One of Australia’s Most Iconic Animals
If you live in Australia, you’ll see kangaroos everywhere. After all, they are the most iconic animals in Australia. Not many marsupials have the honour of being featured on Australia’s coat of arms.
Moreover, these Australian animals are unique in the world. To date, no similar species have been spotted in other regions of the planet. Scientists say they’re curious and intriguing creatures.
Watching them hop is fun and fascinating – if you can spot them, that is because they’re very fast. But don’t try to get too close, as these animals of Australia, while not aggressive, won’t hesitate to kick you if you invade their space.
4. The Tasmanian Devil: One of Australia’s Smallest and Most Aggressive Animals
As its name suggests, the Tasmanian devil is native to Tasmania, one of Australia’s islands. You’ve probably heard of it before, as it inspired the beloved yet aggressive Taz from the Looney Tunes.
Like its animated counterpart, the Tasmanian devil is equally, if not more, aggressive. Its powerful screech will send shivers down your spine, so you’d best not get too close. It’s also one of the carnivorous Australian animals that won’t hesitate to bite you.
5. The Possum: An Australian Marsupial That Loves Trees
The possum is one of Australia’s urban animals. Unlike other Australian animals, it’s quite common to see them in cities. Any place with fruit trees and gardens is a good home for them.
Like wombats, these marsupials vary in size. There are currently over 26 species of these Australian animals. Some weigh as little as 7 grams, while others can be as big as a domestic cat.
Besides their herbivorous diet, they also eat other animals. Ironically, they hunt species larger than themselves, as they are excellent predators. Some even feed on dead animals.
6. The Australian Humpback Dolphin
The Australian humpback dolphin is one of the marine animals of Australia native to the northern region. They’re known as humpbacks due to their elongated dorsal fin, which accumulates fatty tissue over time, giving it a humped appearance.
Both males and females are the same size. They’re quite large, reaching up to 2.7 metres in length, and living for over 40 years in the wild. When they’re born, they’re greyish, but they develop a stunning silver hue as they age.
Sadly, humpback dolphins are among Australia’s endangered animals. Living so close to the coast and rivers, they’re affected by pollution. In fact, there are currently only about 10,000 of these dolphins left in the wild.
7. The Blue-Ringed Octopus
The blue-ringed octopus is one of the most striking animals in Australia. They’re tiny, not even reaching 10 centimetres, and their bodies are covered in neon-colored rings. They are without a doubt beautiful Australian animals, but don’t be fooled by their appearance.
This species of mollusk is considered one of the most dangerous animals in Australia when threatened. Their bite is venomous and highly harmful to humans. Initially, you wouldn’t feel the sting, but soon your lips and tongue would go numb.
Breathing would become difficult, and you might lose consciousness. However, these blue-ringed octopuses aren’t aggressive Australian animals. If you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone too.
8. The Platypus
If you’ve seen Phineas and Ferb, you’ll know that platypuses are one of the strangest animals in Australia. Their appearance is a mix of several animals: duck, beaver, and otter. Plus, they’re mammals that lay eggs!
This isn’t something you see every day. And, as if that weren’t strange enough, the platypus is also the only venomous mammal known to exist. It’s not lethal, but the venom of these Australian animals causes excruciating pain to its victims.
When travelling to Australia for your studies, be cautious if you encounter one!
9. The Kangaroo Rat
Kangaroo rats are small Australian rodents native to the plains. As their name suggests, they’re tiny creatures that hop around, which is their only resemblance to kangaroos.
These animals of Australia feed exclusively on seeds and small insects. They also need very little water to survive. In fact, they only leave their burrows when they need food, as they avoid becoming prey to larger animals.
10. The Corroboree Frog
The corroboree frog is one of the most attractive animals in Australia. They are even considered some of the prettiest frogs in the world, with their hypnotising black and yellow patterns.
These Australian animals are tiny, only growing up to 3 centimetres long. Despite their bright colours, they’re not poisonous. They’re also protected by Australian law, as they’re considered a unique species.
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