AUSTRALIA'S FLORA AND FAUNA
QUICK FACTS:
- Australia has around 10 per cent of the world’s biodiversity.
- Of the estimated 20 000 species of vascular plants found in Australia, 16 000 are found nowhere else in the world.
- Of the 378 species of mammals in Australia, more than 80 per cent are unique to Australia.
- Of the 869 types of Australian reptile, 773 are found nowhere else.
FAUNA
KANGAROO: Throughout Australia there are over 60 different species of kangaroo and kangaroo like animals, Kangaroos live in all different areas in Australia over vast land types and climates from dessert land to the frosty cold Blue Mountains. Kangaroos are herbivore mammals, most of which are nocturnal but some are moving about during dusk and dawn. All female kangaroos have a front opening pouch; this is where the joey or young kangaroo is raised until it can survive alone outside the pouch. Kangaroos can hop around quickly on two legs or walk around slowly on all four; they can use their powerful legs to jump over 3 times their own height. The red kangaroo is the largest marsupial in the world.
PLATYPUS:
The platypus is believed to be the longest living creature in the modern world with relatives dating back up to more than 112 million years, the platypus is an amphibian mammal that lays eggs, and there are only 5 creatures like the platypus in the world. The platypus is a carnivore and hunts underwater but lacks in teeth so they use gravel to “chew” and process food, Platypus sleep nearly 17 hours a day and are nocturnal, they live and sleep in burrows created along the water’s edge, their burrows can be up to 17 meters in length. The platypus lives in fresh water lakes, rivers and streams across Eastern Australia and Tasmania. The male Platypus is extremely venomous they have sharp stingers on the heels of their rear feet and can use them to deliver a strong toxic blow to any foe , the venom is strong enough to kill a small dog, and to cause almost paralyzing agony to an adult human. It is possible that a very small child could be killed.
EMU:
In total in Australia there are 3 species of emu, each varying in size, they can grow between 1.5 and 2 meters and reach a weight of up to 60kg. Emus are the largest native Australian bird although flightless the emu can use its long powerful legs to reach speeds of up to 50 km/ph. Emus feed on grass, leaves, native and introduced insects and plants. The emu can survive in most parts of Australia but will avoid forests and large amounts of trees; they live at best in the dry central Australia, but can survive in the woodlands up north or the cold snow fields down south. Emus can swim but prefer just sitting in water to cool off. Emus do not have one long continuous sleep but prefer to sleep in short bursts so they can check their surroundings and ensure safety.
PLATYPUS:
The platypus is believed to be the longest living creature in the modern world with relatives dating back up to more than 112 million years, the platypus is an amphibian mammal that lays eggs, and there are only 5 creatures like the platypus in the world. The platypus is a carnivore and hunts underwater but lacks in teeth so they use gravel to “chew” and process food, Platypus sleep nearly 17 hours a day and are nocturnal, they live and sleep in burrows created along the water’s edge, their burrows can be up to 17 meters in length. The platypus lives in fresh water lakes, rivers and streams across Eastern Australia and Tasmania. The male Platypus is extremely venomous they have sharp stingers on the heels of their rear feet and can use them to deliver a strong toxic blow to any foe , the venom is strong enough to kill a small dog, and to cause almost paralyzing agony to an adult human. It is possible that a very small child could be killed.
EMU:
In total in Australia there are 3 species of emu, each varying in size, they can grow between 1.5 and 2 meters and reach a weight of up to 60kg. Emus are the largest native Australian bird although flightless the emu can use its long powerful legs to reach speeds of up to 50 km/ph. Emus feed on grass, leaves, native and introduced insects and plants. The emu can survive in most parts of Australia but will avoid forests and large amounts of trees; they live at best in the dry central Australia, but can survive in the woodlands up north or the cold snow fields down south. Emus can swim but prefer just sitting in water to cool off. Emus do not have one long continuous sleep but prefer to sleep in short bursts so they can check their surroundings and ensure safety.
FLORA
WATTLE:
There is over 1350 species of wattle spread across the world, wattle is native to the southern hemisphere, there is estimated there is over 1000 species of wattle that can be found in Australia alone. Wattle species flower throughout the year although the bulk of species flower during spring and summer and a smaller portion flower during autumn and winter. Wattles vary in distinctive shades of: Yellow, gold, orange, lime green, mustard, and many more. Wattle grows at its best in the South, South East and South West these areas have a cooler climate that suites the way wattle grows and seeds.
BANKSIA:
There is over 170 species of Banksia scattered across the southern hemisphere. Banksias have a height range from stubby little shrubs to trees as tall as 30 meters. They are found in a vast range of landscapes including: arid areas, rain forests, dense forest areas and shrub land, but no species of banksia will grow in desert areas. The banksia flower produces a thick honey like nectar that is eaten by many Australian animals and introduced species as well. A number of the Banksia species are now endangered due to: land clearing, bush fires, diseases, and accidental back burning. The banksia appears in a candle like shape with flower spikes and small but regular clusters of flowers.
WARATAH:The waratah is a slender, erect shrub, to 3 metres tall and about 1.5 metres across. It has stiff, wedge-shaped and usually coarsely toothed, dark green, leathery leaves to 15 cm long, usually in bright red shades. The waratah requires a cold to semi-tropical moderately frost resistant climate in order to grow at its best. The NSW species normally flowers red, but many produce pink or even white flowers. A rare white-flowering form, ‘Wirrimbirra White’, is occasionally available, the large, bright crimson flower heads consist of many small flowers tightly packed into a cone like or peaked dome-shaped heads to 15 cm across, and surrounded by a collar of large red, smooth bracts.
There is over 1350 species of wattle spread across the world, wattle is native to the southern hemisphere, there is estimated there is over 1000 species of wattle that can be found in Australia alone. Wattle species flower throughout the year although the bulk of species flower during spring and summer and a smaller portion flower during autumn and winter. Wattles vary in distinctive shades of: Yellow, gold, orange, lime green, mustard, and many more. Wattle grows at its best in the South, South East and South West these areas have a cooler climate that suites the way wattle grows and seeds.
BANKSIA:
There is over 170 species of Banksia scattered across the southern hemisphere. Banksias have a height range from stubby little shrubs to trees as tall as 30 meters. They are found in a vast range of landscapes including: arid areas, rain forests, dense forest areas and shrub land, but no species of banksia will grow in desert areas. The banksia flower produces a thick honey like nectar that is eaten by many Australian animals and introduced species as well. A number of the Banksia species are now endangered due to: land clearing, bush fires, diseases, and accidental back burning. The banksia appears in a candle like shape with flower spikes and small but regular clusters of flowers.
WARATAH:The waratah is a slender, erect shrub, to 3 metres tall and about 1.5 metres across. It has stiff, wedge-shaped and usually coarsely toothed, dark green, leathery leaves to 15 cm long, usually in bright red shades. The waratah requires a cold to semi-tropical moderately frost resistant climate in order to grow at its best. The NSW species normally flowers red, but many produce pink or even white flowers. A rare white-flowering form, ‘Wirrimbirra White’, is occasionally available, the large, bright crimson flower heads consist of many small flowers tightly packed into a cone like or peaked dome-shaped heads to 15 cm across, and surrounded by a collar of large red, smooth bracts.