WALLABY

A wallaby is any of about thirty species of macropod (Family

Macropodidae). It is an informal designation generally used for
any macropod that is smaller than a kangaroo or wallaroo that
has not been given some other name.

Very small forest-dwelling wallabies are known as pademelons

(genus Thylogale) and dorcopsises (genera Dorcopsis and
Dorcopsulus). The name wallaby comes from the Eora Aboriginal
tribe who were the original inhabitants of the Sydney area.
Young wallabies are known as "joeys", like many other
marsupials.

KANGAROOS

Australian kangaroos are the most famous Australian

animals, and they belong to the most recognisable icons
in the world. There are many different species of kangaroos
(well over 60 all up), adapted to all kinds of Australian habitats.

The proper name for the family of Australian kangaroos is

"macropods". Literally that means "big foot". The name refers
to the long feet and strong hind legs of the species, which are
much larger and more powerful than the front legs, perfect for
moving in big leaps and bounds.

The most famous species in the macropod family is the huge

Red Kangaroo. Others that are well known are the Western
and the Eastern Grey Kangaroo.

KOALA

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The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a thickset arboreal
marsupial herbivore native to Australia, and the only extant
representative of the family Phascolarctidae.

The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern

Australia, from near Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York
Peninsula. Populations also extend for considerable distances
inland in regions with enough moisture to support suitable
woodlands. The koalas of South Australia were largely
exterminated during the early part of the 20th century, but the
state has since been repopulated with Victorian stock. The koala
is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia.

DINGO

The Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) is a domestic dog which has

reverted to a wild state for thousands of years and today lives
largely independent from humans in the majority of its
distribution.

The name "dingo" mostly refers to populations occurring in

Australia, though dingoes have been proven to exist in Thailand
through genetic analyses, where they mostly live close to
humans. Also, there are dog-populations (e.g. the New Guinea
Singing Dog), which bear similarities to the dingo, but have yet
to be proven if they are indeed the same animal.

The dingo is considered as an apex predator in Australia and is,

together with other domestic dogs, the biggest terrestrial
predator there. As such they are considered to play an important
role in the various ecosystems of the continent.

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PLATYPUS

The Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a semi-aquatic

mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania.
Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five
extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs
instead of giving birth to live young. It is the sole living
representative of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus
(Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species have
been found in the fossil record.

The bizarre appearance of this egg-laying, venomous, duck-

billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European
naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering
it an elaborate fraud. It is one of the few venomous mammals;
the male Platypus has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a
venom capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unique
features of the Platypus make it an important subject in the
study of evolutionary biology and a recognisable and iconic
symbol of Australia; it has appeared as a mascot at national
events and is featured on the reverse of the Australian 20 cent
coin. The Platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New
South Wales.

BLACK SWAN

The Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) is a large waterbird which

breeds mainly in the southeast and southwest regions of
Australia.

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Black swans were first seen by Europeans in 1697, when Willem
de Vlamingh's expedition explored the Swan River, Western
Australia.

The black swan was described scientifically by English naturalist

John Latham in 1790. It was formerly placed into a monotypic
genus, Chenopis.

The common name ‘Swan’ is a gender neutral term, but ‘cob’ for
a male and ‘pen’ for a female are also used, as is ‘cygnet’ for the
young.[2] Collective nouns include a ‘bank’ (on the ground) and a
‘wedge’ (in flight).[3] Black Swans can be found singly, or in loose
companies numbering into the hundreds or even thousands.

EMU

The Emu (pronounced /ˈiːmjuː/[4][5]), Dromaius novaehollandiae, is

the largest bird native to Australia and the only extant member
of the genus Dromaius. It is also the second-largest extant bird in
the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich. The soft-
feathered, brown, flightless bird reach up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) in
height. The Emu is common over most of mainland Australia,
although it avoids heavily populated areas, dense forest, and
arid areas.[2] Emus can travel great distances at a fast,
economical trot and, if necessary, can sprint at 50 km/h
(31 mph) for some distance at a time. [2] They are
opportunistically nomadic and may travel long distances to find
food; they feed on a variety of plants and insects.

The Emu subspecies that previously inhabited Tasmania became

extinct after the European settlement of Australia in 1788; and

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the distribution of the mainland subspecies has been influenced
by human activities. Once common on the east coast, Emu are
now uncommon; by contrast, the development of agriculture and
the provision of water for stock in the interior of the continent
have increased the range of the Emu in arid regions. Emus are
farmed for their meat, oil, and leather.

KOOKABURRA

Kookaburras (genus Dacelo) are large to very large (total

length 28–42 cm/11-17 in) terrestrial kingfishers native to
Australia and New Guinea, the name a loanword from Wiradjuri
guuguubarra, which is onomatopoeic of its call.

Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which is

uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter — good-natured, but
rather hysterical, merriment in the case of the well-known Laughing
Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae); and maniacal cackling in the

case of the slightly smaller Blue-winged Kookaburra (D. leachii). They

are generally not closely associated with water, and can be
found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, but
also in suburban and residential areas near running water and
where food can be searched for easily.