Australian Wildlife

Australian Wildlife

by Stephanie P. and Nielsen B.

The Inland Red-tailed Black Cockatoo has changed its diet to the food in the wheatbelt region of Western Australia and is multiplying due to the seeds of the newly introduced Double-gee weed.

Once very common in Australia, the Brushtail Possum has almost disappeared. It is one of the few Australian marsupials which remains in large cities, finding the roof space of houses on the outskirts as suitable places instead of hollow tree branches. They came into New Zealand in 1840. They are now a major pest there. Scientists have put lots of research into ways to control their numbers through reproductive interference.

They eat leaves, fruits and flowers. One baby is born after a 17 day gestation period and spends up to five months inside the mom's pouch. They depend on their moms for another one to two months after leaving their pouch, often travelling in it.

The Quokka is a small animal and is linked to the island Rottnest which is west of Perth. Actually, the island was named after them by a Dutch explorer who landed there on December 30th, 1696. He described it as a place full of "rats the size of cats" ("Rats nest" is the english translation of "rottnest" which is dutch). They are still found in the mainland of Australia in south west habitats. They are very unique for many reasons. One reason is the ability to survive in an environment without much water, also their talent to climb trees. They are mainly nocturnal though on Rottnest some close to houses have adjusted to a more daily habit, taking advantage of food offered by people which can be threatning to their health.

The Western Swamp Tortoise is near extinction with about 200 left. It was found in 1839 when one tortise was recived and sent to the Museum in Vienna, Austria. No other tortoises were seen for more than 100 years and the species was thought extinct. Then, in 1953, they were re-discovered, when a boy , who lived in Upper Swan, found one crawling across a road. After finding it, he took it to the W.A. Naturalist's Club Wildlife Show. After a lot of searching it was found out that swamp tortoises still exists in two small areas of natural habitat remaining on the edge of Perth. These areas were purchased by the Government, and set aside as nature reserves. The tortoises live in swamps that only fill during the winter and spring. While the swamps contain water, the tortoises swim around and feed on small spineless water animals. There are a number of things which have resulted in the decline of the Western Swamp Tortoise. Their habitat has been significantly reduced due to the draining or filling of their swamps for agriculture. The Red Fox has also declined the tortoise population. Swamp Tortoises have a very low rate of reproduction. Their populations have taken a very long time to recover because of thier low reproductive rate.

Once placed over southern Australia from the west coast of Western Australia to western New South Wales, the Wopilkara is now limited to a few off-shore island populations. They live on West and East Franklin Islands in the Nuyts Archipelago off the South Australian coast. The closely related Lesser Stick-nest Rat is almost extinct with the last sighting being in 1933. This appealing and calm rodent is unusual for its habit of constructing large nests measuring up to 1m high and 1.5m wide. A nest of soft grasses is located in the centre. Wopilkara are herbivors, feeding off of sticks, leaves and fruits of plants. One to three young are born after a 30 day pregnancy. The young attach to the mothers teats where they stay, being dragged around by their mother until they are weaned at about four weeks old. The reason for their decline on the mainland seems to have resulted from sheep and cattle farming. They also fall prey to predators such as foxes and cats.

Wombats are very shy animals. They usually rest in or near their burrows during the day and come out at night when it's cool out to eat. Farmers think wombats are pests because they wreck crops and fences, and cows may break their legs by stepping in wombat burrows.

The Kangaroos are marsupials. They live in big groups of 100 kangaroos or smaller. The kangaroo usually rests in the shade during the day and comes out to eat in the late afternoon and night when its cool out. It eats mostly grass with a few other things and needs very little water to survive. In fact, it can live without drinking for months. When they do need water, they dig "wells" for it.

The Kangaroo moves by hopping on its powerful back legs. It uses its thick long tail to balance its body while jumping. A kangaroo can hop at up to 60kmh . It can also leap over objects up to 3m high.

Thankyou to Perth zoo for giving us permission use their wonderful pictures. To find out further information on any of these animals and more, visit the Perth Zoo at: http://www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/australia.html

*Australian Wildlife* by Stephanie P. and Nielsen B. The Inland Red-tailed Black Cockatoo has changed its diet to the food in the wheatbelt region of Western Australia and is multiplying due to the seeds of the newly introduced Double-gee weed.
Once very common in Australia, the Brushtail Possum has almost disappeared. It is one of the few Australian marsupials which remains in large cities, finding the roof space of houses on the outskirts as suitable places instead of hollow tree branches. They came into New Zealand in 1840. They are now a major pest there. Scientists have put lots of research into ways to control their numbers through reproductive interference. They eat leaves, fruits and flowers. One baby is born after a 17 day gestation period and spends up to five months inside the mom's pouch. They depend on their moms for another one to two months after leaving their pouch, often travelling in it.
The Quokka is a small animal and is linked to the island Rottnest which is west of Perth. Actually, the island was named after them by a Dutch explorer who landed there on December 30th, 1696. He described it as a place full of "rats the size of cats" ("Rats nest" is the english translation of "rottnest" which is dutch). They are still found in the mainland of Australia in south west habitats. They are very unique for many reasons. One reason is the ability to survive in an environment without much water, also their talent to climb trees. They are mainly nocturnal though on Rottnest some close to houses have adjusted to a more daily habit, taking advantage of food offered by people which can be threatning to their health.
The Western Swamp Tortoise is near extinction with about 200 left. It was found in 1839 when one tortise was recived and sent to the Museum in Vienna, Austria. No other tortoises were seen for more than 100 years and the species was thought extinct. Then, in 1953, they were re-discovered, when a boy , who lived in Upper Swan, found one crawling across a road. After finding it, he took it to the W.A. Naturalist's Club Wildlife Show. After a lot of searching it was found out that swamp tortoises still exists in two small areas of natural habitat remaining on the edge of Perth. These areas were purchased by the Government, and set aside as nature reserves. The tortoises live in swamps that only fill during the winter and spring. While the swamps contain water, the tortoises swim around and feed on small spineless water animals. There are a number of things which have resulted in the decline of the Western Swamp Tortoise. Their habitat has been significantly reduced due to the draining or filling of their swamps for agriculture. The Red Fox has also declined the tortoise population. Swamp Tortoises have a very low rate of reproduction. Their populations have taken a very long time to recover because of thier low reproductive rate.
Once placed over southern Australia from the west coast of Western Australia to western New South Wales, the Wopilkara is now limited to a few off-shore island populations. They live on West and East Franklin Islands in the Nuyts Archipelago off the South Australian coast. The closely related Lesser Stick-nest Rat is almost extinct with the last sighting being in 1933. This appealing and calm rodent is unusual for its habit of constructing large nests measuring up to 1m high and 1.5m wide. A nest of soft grasses is located in the centre. Wopilkara are herbivors, feeding off of sticks, leaves and fruits of plants. One to three young are born after a 30 day pregnancy. The young attach to the mothers teats where they stay, being dragged around by their mother until they are weaned at about four weeks old. The reason for their decline on the mainland seems to have resulted from sheep and cattle farming. They also fall prey to predators such as foxes and cats.
Wombats are very shy animals. They usually rest in or near their burrows during the day and come out at night when it's cool out to eat. Farmers think wombats are pests because they wreck crops and fences, and cows may break their legs by stepping in wombat burrows.