FAUNA
Sugar Glider
The sugar glider is a native species of glider, similar to the possum. It is a small marsupial that is named after its preference for sweet fruits and nectar, and its ability to glide with its ‘wings’. They only measure 40cm including their tail, and weigh about 150g. They are able to glide, from flaps of skin that stretch between their first toe and fifth finger. When they jump from a tree and spread their arms and legs, the skin acts as a sail. They can travel for up to 100m by gliding, and often use it to move between trees, rarely going to the ground. It is one of their mechanisms to stay away from predators. They are recognisable by their grey-blue fur, with a dark strip down their back from their head to the middle of their back. They are found throughout Tasmania, and along the east coast and north of Australia. Their large eyes and easily moving ears help them to detect food at night, as they are nocturnal. Unlike other marsupials, sugar gliders tend to live in groups with up to seven adults and their offspring living together. In cold weather and winter, they are able to go into a state similar to hibernation called ‘torpid’.
The sugar glider is a native species of glider, similar to the possum. It is a small marsupial that is named after its preference for sweet fruits and nectar, and its ability to glide with its ‘wings’. They only measure 40cm including their tail, and weigh about 150g. They are able to glide, from flaps of skin that stretch between their first toe and fifth finger. When they jump from a tree and spread their arms and legs, the skin acts as a sail. They can travel for up to 100m by gliding, and often use it to move between trees, rarely going to the ground. It is one of their mechanisms to stay away from predators. They are recognisable by their grey-blue fur, with a dark strip down their back from their head to the middle of their back. They are found throughout Tasmania, and along the east coast and north of Australia. Their large eyes and easily moving ears help them to detect food at night, as they are nocturnal. Unlike other marsupials, sugar gliders tend to live in groups with up to seven adults and their offspring living together. In cold weather and winter, they are able to go into a state similar to hibernation called ‘torpid’.
Frilled-Neck Lizard
The frilled-neck lizard is a famous Australian reptile, living in northern Queensland and hot tropical areas. They can weigh about 500g and grow up to 45-50cm, 2/3 of which is their tail. Their mouth is bright yellow, and they are able to make a ‘mane’ with a frill around their neck that can be either down against their neck, or extended. The mouth colour and frill are scare tactics and designed to scare away possible predators. They will also get up on their hind legs and run away from the situation if they feel they are in danger. The lizard then climbs up into a tree, where it spends most of its time. They are often mistaken for a bearded dragon, especially in areas of Australia they aren’t as common in. They live mostly off insects and sometimes small mammals. Their skin is a yellow-brown colour, sometimes a bit red too. This is to make sure they have the maximum camouflage. They are also able to stay very still making them hard to see at times. They aren’t considered threatened, but they are being affected by feral cats, and habitat destruction. Their natural predators are bigger lizards, dingoes, snakes and birds of prey.
The frilled-neck lizard is a famous Australian reptile, living in northern Queensland and hot tropical areas. They can weigh about 500g and grow up to 45-50cm, 2/3 of which is their tail. Their mouth is bright yellow, and they are able to make a ‘mane’ with a frill around their neck that can be either down against their neck, or extended. The mouth colour and frill are scare tactics and designed to scare away possible predators. They will also get up on their hind legs and run away from the situation if they feel they are in danger. The lizard then climbs up into a tree, where it spends most of its time. They are often mistaken for a bearded dragon, especially in areas of Australia they aren’t as common in. They live mostly off insects and sometimes small mammals. Their skin is a yellow-brown colour, sometimes a bit red too. This is to make sure they have the maximum camouflage. They are also able to stay very still making them hard to see at times. They aren’t considered threatened, but they are being affected by feral cats, and habitat destruction. Their natural predators are bigger lizards, dingoes, snakes and birds of prey.
Blue Winged Kookaburra
The blue winged kookaburra is a native Australian bird, related to the well-known laughing kookaburra. It is the one of the larger kingfisher bird and measures about 40cm. It is recognisable by its bright blue wing feathers, and cream and brown speckled body. It has a long thick beak and a square head. They are found in the northern parts of Australia’s coast and heading into the Torres Strait Islands, especially in woodlands, swamps and farmlands. Their biggest threats are habitat destruction and being hit on roads. They are carnivores and feed on insects, frogs, worms, fish, spiders, crayfish, scorpions, snakes, smaller birds and reptiles. The kookaburras usually live in families of up to eight, with the parents being breeding partners for life, and the oldest offspring staying to develop skills to find a mate.
The blue winged kookaburra is a native Australian bird, related to the well-known laughing kookaburra. It is the one of the larger kingfisher bird and measures about 40cm. It is recognisable by its bright blue wing feathers, and cream and brown speckled body. It has a long thick beak and a square head. They are found in the northern parts of Australia’s coast and heading into the Torres Strait Islands, especially in woodlands, swamps and farmlands. Their biggest threats are habitat destruction and being hit on roads. They are carnivores and feed on insects, frogs, worms, fish, spiders, crayfish, scorpions, snakes, smaller birds and reptiles. The kookaburras usually live in families of up to eight, with the parents being breeding partners for life, and the oldest offspring staying to develop skills to find a mate.