Since my last post about Australian animals at the end of 2013, a lot has happened, and I have seen many more Australian animals either in the wild or animal sanctuaries. While most of them are quite friendly, some can potentially be very dangerous.
Here is an updated list of animals in Australia that I have tried to match up with photos that I have taken.
Kangaroo
Kangaroos are very common all over Australia. They are one of the species that you will see nearly everywhere – even in the big cities. They are generally friendly, but have quite sharp claws and can dish out strong kicks.
Wallaby
To simplify it, Wallabies are small kangaroos that look only slightly different than their larger brothers.
Pademelon
Pademelons are basically small wallabies. Their tails are shorter and thicker. Their heads have a triangular shape, and their ears are shorter.
Koala
Together with the kangaroo, the koala is symbolic for Australia. They can be found in many places just outside of the cities, but it can be hard to spot them sitting in the trees. They sleep a significant fraction of the day and do not move a lot. They can, however, growl like the best death metal singer.
Wombat
Wombats are thick, muscular and strong animals that can be found relatively often in the bush.
Possum
These are nocturnal animals that can be found nearly everywhere and are common in the cities as well. They are incredibly curious and can be a pest for campers who did not secure their food storage.
Being nocturnal animals, it is hard to get a good photo of them.
Tiger snake
The tiger snake is the first animal in this list that can be dangerous for humans. They are pretty common in the bush in Victoria, NSW and Tasmania and are quite active during summer, so it is likely that you will encounter one sooner or later on a bush walk. While they are extremely venomous, they are shy creatures in my experience and escape quickly when they feel a vibration in the ground. They are harmless and can be easily avoided. The only danger is when they feel threatened or get stepped on. Closed and sturdy boots are a must when venturing out into the bush.
They are surprisingly good swimmers, which I could not believe until I saw it.
Brown snake
They are supposedly faster and more aggressive than the other Australian snakes. I haven’t seen one yet in the wild.
Copper head snake
Not seen yet.
White-lipped snake
Apparently, they can be found in some caves. Not seen yet.
Red-bellied black snake
Not seen yet.
Death Adder
Not seen yet.
Coastal and inland Taipan
They are supposed to be the most venomous snakes in Australia. While the coastal taipan has a reputation to be fierce and aggressive, the inland taipan is said to be shy. The likelihood to be bitten by one is very low.
Not seen yet.
Echidna
The echidna is a small animal that looks like a crossbred between a porcupine and an anteater. In case of danger, it hides its head in a defensive burrow in the ground and arrests itself in it in order not to be pulled out. They are one of the few species of egg-laying mammals.
Kookaburra
Kookaburras are fairly large birds that have a distinctive laugh.
Rosella
Galah
Cockatoo
Magpie
These are very common in the cities and also outside. They are infamously known for swooping people riding their bikes.
Currawong
Apparently they are one of the smartest species of birds and are known to be able to open zips from backpacks to eat the snacks of bushwalkers.
Lorikeet
Penguin
Wild penguins can be spotted at St. Kilda beach in Melbourne for example.
Superb fairy-wren
No photo yet.
Myna bird
No photo yet.
Tawny frogmouth
Spotted quoll
They look and behave like tiny cats. I have seen some in the wild, but this photo is from an animal sanctuary. They are also nocturnal animals.
Quokka
They are supposedly the happiest animals on Earth with a constant smile. Not seen yet.
Tasmanian devil
They look a bit like dogs with a prominent jaw and teeth. They are endangered by a form of skin cancer that prevents them from eating. Not seen yet in the wild.
Tasmanian tiger
Apart from the other animals listed here the Tasmanian tiger is extinct since the 1930s.
Dingo
Dingos are wild dogs, which are common in the Northern Territory.
Leeches
These blood-sucking worms are common in wetlands in Tasmania, but can also be found in the Blue Mountains in NSW. They are one of the reasons why wearing gaiters is a good idea.
Bats
Jack jumper ants
Jack jumper ants are closely related to bull ants. They can not only bite you with their mandibles but can also sting you with a stinger on their back. In a sting, they inject a venom that can potentially induce an anaphylactic shock. They are said to be aggressive and travel vast distances from their nests.
Not seen yet.
Huntsman spider
No photo yet.
Redback spider
Not seen yet.
Sydney funnel-web spider
Not seen yet.
White-tailed spider
I have seen them often in the countryside near Canberra, where they live in dark places sheltered from the sun.
No photo yet.
Emu
No photo yet.
Cassowary
No photo yet.
Blue-tongued lizard
No photo yet.
Platypus
The platypus is one of the few mammals that lay eggs. It is also unique in that it is among the small group of mammals that are venomous, with the male platypus having a venomous spur.
Eel
No photo yet.
Crocodile
Not seen yet in the wild.
Alligator
Not seen yet in the wild.
Great white shark
Not seen yet in the wild.
Stingray
No photo yet.
Box jellyfish
The box jellyfish have tentacles that carry a potent venom. Their sting can be even fatal to humans.
Blue bottle
Another name for the blue bottle is Portuguese man o’ war, and it is a colony of different polyps.
Blue-ringed octopus
Not seen yet.
Weedy sea dragon
Not seen yet.
Yabby
A yabby or common yabby is a species of freshwater crayfish that is common in many mountainous areas in Victoria, NSW and Tasmania. They look like small lobsters and live in thumb-sized holes in the soft soil. Their colour varies from light blue to green-brown.