The Australian Physiography
The geography of this island nation goes well beyond semi-arid deserts. It also includes mountains, plains, coastal uplands, rainforests, and more. Each of these Australian biomes is home to many species of plants and animals, quite a few of which are found nowhere else on Earth. In short, the diversity of wildlife in Australia goes well beyond kangaroos and wallabies.
Australian Wildlife Facts
Somewhere around 83 percent of the mammals, 89 percent of the reptiles, 90 percent of the fish and insect species, and 93 percent of the amphibians found in Australia are endemic to this region.
Geographic isolation and tectonic activity are the two main factors believed to be responsible for this high level of endemism on the Australian continent.
Australian Mammals
The Classification of Mammals
Australia's mammal species fall into two main groups: monotremes, like the platypus and the short-beaked Echidna, and marsupials, like kangaroos and wallabies. The near-absence of placental mammals on this continent is one of its most remarkable features. The void is filled by marsupials. Of the 334 extant species of marsupials on the planet, around 70 percent are found in Australia alone.
The Marsupials
Australia's list of marsupials includes kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats, possums, and many more. These animals carry and nurse their young in a pouch rather than a placenta, a key feature that sets them apart from most other mammals.
The Carnivorous Marsupial
The thylacine (better known as the Tasmanian tiger) was the largest known carnivorous marsupial of modern times. It was endemic to the Australian mainland before its extinction in the 20th century.
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Australian Birds
The Old-World Native Species
Somewhere around 800 species of birds are found in Australia, of which approximately 350 are endemic. They range enormously in size, from the Weebill, which measures a mere 8 cm, to the Emu, the flightless bird that can grow to a height of 6.6 ft. Australia's bird list includes Old World species (like emus and cassowaries), passerines (like robins and magpies), and some recently introduced species such as the European Goldfinch and Common Myna.
The Coastal Species
The coastal regions of Australia are home to around 200 species of birds, including petrels, albatrosses, gulls, and terns. The southern coast of the Australian mainland is home to the world's smallest penguin species, the Little Penguin. The largest population of this bird in Western Australia can be found on the aptly named Penguin Island, near Perth.
Australian Reptiles
The Aquatic Reptiles
Somewhere around 860 species of reptiles found on the planet live in Australia. These include well-known turtle species such as the Green Sea Turtle and the Leatherback Sea Turtle. Australia is also home to both freshwater and saltwater crocodile species. In fact, the saltwater crocodile (the largest reptile species in the world) is native to the continent.
An Interesting Fact about Australian Snakes
Snakes like the Common Death Adder and the Brown Tree Snake, plus lizards like the Eastern Bearded Dragon and the Thick-tailed Gecko, are found in abundance in Australia. They have remarkable survival adaptations that allow them to thrive in the arid regions where very few other species manage to live. Most remarkably, Australia is the only continent where venomous snakes outnumber non-venomous snakes.
Other Species Found in Australia
The Amphibians
Beyond mammals, birds, and reptiles, Australia is home to a range of amphibians and many species of invertebrates and fish. Australian amphibians are restricted entirely to frogs. Around 230 of the 5,280 extant species of frogs in the world are found in Australia, and about 93 percent of those are endemic. They include species such as the Cane Toad, Australian Green Tree Frog, Scanty Frog, Turtle Frog, and Australian Wood Frog.
The Marine Biodiversity
More than 4,400 species of fish are found in the waterways of Australia. Common species include the flathead, cobbler, Murray cod, and Australian bass. It may surprise many to learn that invertebrates make up 96 percent of Australia's roughly 200,000 animal species. Furthermore, 90 percent of those invertebrates are believed to be endemic to Australia.
With all these species to its credit, Australia rightly deserves the title of "megadiverse country." Yet these same animals face the looming threat of extinction. Climatic changes have emerged as a major threat for ecosystems across the Australian mainland. This has put conservation organizations like the Australian Wildlife Conservancy under enormous pressure to develop measures to protect them. Wildlife conservation is of particularly great importance in Australia, because most species here are endemic, their extinction from this region would mean their extinction from the entire planet.
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Fun fact for today!Invertebrates make up 96 percent of Australia's roughly 200,000 animal species!