While the world is full of amazing countries and places to visit, one of the most popular has to be Australia. It is one of the best ecotourism destinations and offers people a ton of different things to do and check out. Whether you want to go on adventures, relax, or simply explore some beautiful towns and cities, the country has a lot for you to experience.
But whether you are planning a road trip in the country, or visiting a resort, it is a good idea to ensure you know about the wildlife in the country. The wildlife is one of the most popular and beloved parts of the country, and they are very proud of it. While most people’s minds will go to kangaroos or koalas, Australia has a lot more to offer in that department, too.
With that in mind, this article is going to take a closer look at six things that people should know about Australian wildlife.
There is a Lot of Diversity
While animals like the kangaroo get all the attention amongst many visitors to Australia, there is a lot more than that throughout the large and vast country. This ranges from the bearded dragon, to wombats, to sea lions, to platypuses, and many others.
There are likely hundreds of thousands of species in the country, with many yet to be discovered. No matter what type of animal you like to see, or where you like to see it, there is a good chance Australia will have something for you.
It is truly a paradise for those who like to watch and get up close and personal with animals of all kinds. The biodiversity of Australia is certainly helped by the fact it is home to many different habitats from deserts, to swamps, to reefs, to forests, and many others in between.
Most of Their Wildlife is Found Nowhere Else on the Planet
Not only is Australia home to a ton of wildlife, plenty of it cannot be seen anywhere else. This makes it an absolute hotspot for those who like to see rare and incredibly majestic animals. While many countries have a few animals and species that do not appear anywhere else, Australia takes this to a whole other level.
In fact, over 80% of the mammals in Australia are endemic, which means they are not found anywhere else on the planet. Plenty of their birds, reptiles, and frogs will only ever be seen on this continent. While there are likely many reasons for this, one of the biggest is that Australia is simply so far away from other continents and countries. It has had a very long period of isolation, which has led to many of their species staying put and not traveling away from Australia.
The Animals Range From Very Tiny, to Very Large
With so many species, it should come as no surprise that the animals found in Australia can vary greatly in terms of their size. They can be as tiny as little insects and small quolls and possums, up to animals like kangaroos, octopuses, alligators, and sharks.
So whether you like to see cute little animals, or large animals that look almost unbelievable, Australia certainly has something for you. Also, some things you may have seen before in your home country or town, might look a little different in Australia.
For example, some earthworms in the country can be several feet long, spiders can be bigger than normal, and even bats can have a wingspan of multiple feet long.
The Wildlife Certainly Isn’t as Dangerous as People Think
When most people think of Australian wildlife, they instantly think about huge and dangerous animals, reptiles and insects that wreak havoc on anyone who visits the country. But the truth is, most wildlife in Australia is completely harmless, and the chance of you running into something dangerous is not very high.
Sure, there are some things that could bite or sting you, but most of what you will run into is no more harmful than what you find at home. However, whether you are traveling in Australia or anywhere else, it is important to still be aware of what animal you are dealing with, and always exercise caution. These are wild animals, and as a result can be quite unpredictable, especially if they feel threatened.
Different Wildlife Appears During Different Times of Year
Even though the weather is generally quite nice in Australia all year round, there are still seasons and different animals will often come and go or behave differently from season to season. For example, the summer is when you will see turtle hatchlings go out to the water, and the winter is when bird watching is generally at its best.
There truly is something for everybody. The type of animals you want to see and what you want to do will often dictate when you decide to visit this wonderful country. Of course, these are far from the only major events or interesting animals to see during the seasons.
A Lot of Endangered Species Call Australia Home
As you could probably imagine due to the many species there, Australia is home to many different endangered species. This includes many types of wombats, quolls, koalas, some whales and many kinds of birds. The reasons these species are endangered can vary from loss of their habitat, to disasters, and even climate change.
Australia is very dedicated when it comes to preserving these species and having strict wildlife guidelines in place in many areas. There are many organizations trying to turn the tides for these declining species, too. In general, Australia respects their wildlife and tries to ensure interactions are not only fun and rewarding for people, but also for the animals themselves.
In conclusion, we hope that this guide has been able to help you learn and understand a little more about the diverse and wonderful wildlife that is found in Australia.
