2. Photos of Australian Animals (part 3)

Photos of Australian Animals (part 3)

This is an update of two of my older posts about Australian animals, mainly focused on animals that live close to the water. The first two parts are here: part 1 and part 2. I have added a few more photos of animals that I stumbled upon on bushwalks, or close to home, in parks in and around Melbourne.

A Gibbsland water dragon sitting next to a river.
A Gibbsland water dragon sitting next to a river.

In general, I have to say that even though some of the animals listed here can be quite dangerous, it is very unlikely to encounter them in the wild. Most encounters were just by accident when going off-trail in reasonably remote areas. This list should be representative of the Australian states of Victoria, New South Wales (NSW) and Tasmania. That is, you are likely to encounter these animals at some point when venturing outdoors, especially into more remote areas.

I have marked the updates or additions in red colour.

Kangaroo

Kangaroos in the late evening sun.
Kangaroos in the late evening sun.
Two kangaroos fighting.
Two kangaroos fighting.

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

A swamp wallaby sitting in the grass.
A swamp wallaby sitting in the grass.

To simplify it, Wallabies are small kangaroos that look only slightly different than their larger brothers.

Pademelon

A Tasmanian pademelon shortly after sunset.
A Tasmanian pademelon shortly after sunset.

Pademelons are basically small wallabies. Their tails are shorter and thicker. Their heads have a triangular shape, and their ears are shorter.

Koala

A koala sleeping in a tree.
A koala sleeping in a tree.
The face of a koala.
The face of a 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 large fraction of the day and do not move a lot. They can, however, growl like the best death metal singer.

Wombat

A curious wombat looks at us.
A curious wombat looks at us.
A wombat sniffs Pascal's shoes.
A wombat sniffs Pascal’s shoes.

Wombats are thick, muscular and strong animals that can be found fairly 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

A curled-up tiger snake. You can see the yellow banding on its bottom side that lends the species its name.
A curled-up tiger snake. You can see the yellow banding on its bottom side that lends the species its name.
A tiger snake swims in a lake in Tasmania.
A tiger snake swims in a lake in Tasmania.

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 timid creatures in my experience and escape quickly when they feel a vibration on 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

A copper head snake basking in the sun near a swamp area.
A copper head snake basking in the sun near a swamp area.

The copper head snake seems to be a very shy snake, which is often encountered near water, or swamp areas. We stumbled upon a relatively large specimen when walking off-track when following a wallaby. The snake was basking in the sun.

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

An echidna searches for food.
An echidna searches for food.

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

A Kookaburra sitting on a tree branch.
A Kookaburra sitting on a tree branch.
A close-up view of a Kookaburra.
A close-up view of a Kookaburra.

Kookaburras are relatively large birds that have a distinctive laugh.

Rosella

Catalina feeds a rosella.
Catalina feeds a rosella.

Galah

A galah on the ground.
A galah on the ground.

Cockatoo

A sulphur-crested cockatoo sits on the ground.
A sulphur-crested cockatoo sits on the ground.

Magpie

A magpie sitting in a tree.
A magpie sitting in a tree.

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

A lorikeet sitting on a tree branch.
A lorikeet sitting on a tree branch.

Penguin

A penguin at St. Kilda beach.
A penguin at St. Kilda beach.

Wild penguins can be spotted at St. Kilda beach in Melbourne for example.

Australian white ibis

An Australian white ibis seen in Sydney in a park near the city centre.
An Australian white ibis seen in Sydney in a park near the city centre.

Superb fairy-wren

No photo yet.

Myna bird

No photo yet.

Tawny frogmouth

A tawny frogmouth.
A tawny frogmouth.
A tawny frogmouth.
A tawny frogmouth.

Bassian thrush

A Bassian thrush seen in the bush in Tasmania.
A Bassian thrush seen in the bush in Tasmania.

Spotted quoll

A spotted quoll in a sanctuary.
A spotted quoll in a sanctuary.

They look and behave like very small 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

A dingo resting below a bench in the Northern Territory.
A dingo resting below a bench in the Northern Territory.

Dingos are wild dogs, which are common in the Northern Territory.

Leeches

A leech found inside a gaiter in Tasmania.
A leech found inside a gaiter in Tasmania.

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

Bats flying in front of the skyline of Melbourne.
Bats flying in front of the skyline of Melbourne.

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

A huntsman spider sitting on a rock.
A huntsman spider sitting on a rock.

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.

Platypus

A platypus swimming in a lake in Tasmania.
A platypus swimming in a lake in Tasmania.

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.

Skink

A skink sitting on the ground. These small lizards are numerous throughout Victoria and Tasmania and can be found in most national or state parks.
A skink sitting on the ground. These small lizards are numerous throughout Victoria and Tasmania and can be found in most national or state parks.

Gippsland water dragon

A Gibbsland water dragon sitting next to a river.
A Gibbsland water dragon sitting next to a river.

Queensland dragon

A dragon spotted in Queensland.
A dragon spotted in Queensland.

The actual species is not clear yet. To be updated later.

Blue-tongued lizard

A blue-tongued lizard.
A blue-tongued lizard.

Frilled-neck lizard

These lizards sport an impressive piece of skin around their neck that they extend when threatened.

Not seen yet.

Southern right whale

Seen once, but no photo yet.

Seal

A group of seals rests on rocks close to the Ocean.
A group of seals rests on rocks close to the Ocean.

Dolfin

See once, but no good photo yet.

Pelican

A group of pretty large pelicans was fed on the beach.
A group of pretty large pelicans was fed on the beach.

Crab

We encountered some crabs on a pier close to the Ocean.
We encountered some crabs on a pier close to the Ocean.

Yabby

A common yabby sitting in a puddle.
A common yabby sitting in a puddle.

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.