Oceania Oceania, also known as Australia, is composed of several small islands, and some larger ones too. The largest is Australia, and that is why this continent is commonly refered to as Australia. Australia's mainland has a small island off it's coast, it is still part of the island, but it is a lot smaller, Tasmania. Tasmania is home to several different types of animals, some include: the Tasmanian Devil, Wedge Tailed Eagles, and the Tasmanian Pademelon. Oceania is also home to some of the strangest mammals ever, such as the Echidna and the Platypus. These mammals both lay eggs! All other mammals we know of give birth to live animals, while these two lay eggs, like birds, reptiles, and fish.
|
Tasmanian Devil
You may recognize this guy from TV, and you may not even
have known they were real animals! Tasmanian Devils are
nocturnal, but they don't kill their food like you might think,
they're scavengers, so they eat other animal's kills.
Tasmanian Devils have been labeled as vicious killers of
the night, which they definitively aren't! they don't even kill their
own prey, and they definitively won't attack you with no reason!
have known they were real animals! Tasmanian Devils are
nocturnal, but they don't kill their food like you might think,
they're scavengers, so they eat other animal's kills.
Tasmanian Devils have been labeled as vicious killers of
the night, which they definitively aren't! they don't even kill their
own prey, and they definitively won't attack you with no reason!
Echidna
The Platypus has taken the title as the only mammal that lays eggs,
but what most people don't know is that the Echidna is also a mammal,
and also lays eggs! So if you were one of those people who thought
the platypus was the only egg-laying mammal think again because the
Echidna also can lay eggs!
There are two types of Echidnas: The short-beaked, and the
long-beaked. These two species are fairly similar, however they do have
some differences. For starters the short-beaked Echidna, obviously, has
a shorter beak, while the long-beaked, of course, has longer snout. The
short beaked is also smaller and lighter than the long-beaked, although
the short beaked does have more spines on it's back than the long beaked.
And, the long-beaked has a gluey tongue which it uses to pick up slimy
earthworms, while the short-beaked has more of a sticky tongue which it
uses to pick of ants and termites.
but what most people don't know is that the Echidna is also a mammal,
and also lays eggs! So if you were one of those people who thought
the platypus was the only egg-laying mammal think again because the
Echidna also can lay eggs!
There are two types of Echidnas: The short-beaked, and the
long-beaked. These two species are fairly similar, however they do have
some differences. For starters the short-beaked Echidna, obviously, has
a shorter beak, while the long-beaked, of course, has longer snout. The
short beaked is also smaller and lighter than the long-beaked, although
the short beaked does have more spines on it's back than the long beaked.
And, the long-beaked has a gluey tongue which it uses to pick up slimy
earthworms, while the short-beaked has more of a sticky tongue which it
uses to pick of ants and termites.
Koala
Koalas are marsupials, which means their babies are born in a pouch, the
mother's bare and live there for the beginning of their life. The Koala in the
picture is on a Eucalyptus tree these are the Koala's favorite trees, in fact
they rarely come down from these trees, and they love to eat the leaves
that grow on these tree.
mother's bare and live there for the beginning of their life. The Koala in the
picture is on a Eucalyptus tree these are the Koala's favorite trees, in fact
they rarely come down from these trees, and they love to eat the leaves
that grow on these tree.
Wedge Tailed Eagle
Wedged tailed eagles are very strong, in fact they're strong enough to carry a
baby red kangaroo (joey). They are the largest birds of prey in Australia. It's legs
are covered in feathers and it has a wedge-shaped tail for which it gets it's name.
It's not just the largest bird of prey in Australia, but one of the Largest birds in the
world!
Females can weigh from 7-12 lb., while the smaller and lighter males only
weigh 4-9 lb.. A Wedge tailed eagles wingspan can range from 6-8 ft. The largest
wedge tailed eagle ever was a female who lived in Tasmania who had a
wingspan of 9 ft. and 4 in!
baby red kangaroo (joey). They are the largest birds of prey in Australia. It's legs
are covered in feathers and it has a wedge-shaped tail for which it gets it's name.
It's not just the largest bird of prey in Australia, but one of the Largest birds in the
world!
Females can weigh from 7-12 lb., while the smaller and lighter males only
weigh 4-9 lb.. A Wedge tailed eagles wingspan can range from 6-8 ft. The largest
wedge tailed eagle ever was a female who lived in Tasmania who had a
wingspan of 9 ft. and 4 in!
Red Kangaroo
Red Kangaroos are very strong and powerful. A full grown Red Kangaroo can
jump up to ten ft. high and 25 ft. long! Red Kangaroos are famous for their ability
to kick box, two Red Kangaroo males will kick box to see who gets to be the Alpha
male of the mob. The alpha male must be able to defend the mob against predators
like dingo's, and warn the mob if a Wedge Tailed eagle is coming by to eat one of
the joeys. When a Wedge tailed eagle attacks Joeys run into the moms pouches
for safety, because a Wedge Tailed eagle isn't strong enough to carry a full grown
red kangaroo!
Red Kangaroo Females are very different then Males, even though if a normal
everyday person saw a Male and Female Red Kangaroo standing right next to each other they probably wouldn't be able to tell
them apart! Here are some more obvious differences between Males and Female Red Kangaroo: Females are a Grayish Blueish
color, while Males are Red like the one in the picture, and Females have pouches while males don't.
jump up to ten ft. high and 25 ft. long! Red Kangaroos are famous for their ability
to kick box, two Red Kangaroo males will kick box to see who gets to be the Alpha
male of the mob. The alpha male must be able to defend the mob against predators
like dingo's, and warn the mob if a Wedge Tailed eagle is coming by to eat one of
the joeys. When a Wedge tailed eagle attacks Joeys run into the moms pouches
for safety, because a Wedge Tailed eagle isn't strong enough to carry a full grown
red kangaroo!
Red Kangaroo Females are very different then Males, even though if a normal
everyday person saw a Male and Female Red Kangaroo standing right next to each other they probably wouldn't be able to tell
them apart! Here are some more obvious differences between Males and Female Red Kangaroo: Females are a Grayish Blueish
color, while Males are Red like the one in the picture, and Females have pouches while males don't.
Fairy Penguin
These little penguins are one of Australia's main attractions. their feathers are a bluish
color, and their chests are white. When they are not searching for food they're playing
amongst themselves. they travel in small groups waddling around. Fairy Penguins
grow to be about 18 in. and weigh around 2 lbs.
Fairy penguins are great swimmers and swim often. Even though they swim
often, and are great swimmers, Fairy penguins often stay dry! because they have oil
glands in their tails they dry really quickly, and rarely are wet. Female Fairy penguins
lay eggs, but both male and females incubate them. Once the eggs are hatched the
will stay incubated for the first three months of their seven year lives.
color, and their chests are white. When they are not searching for food they're playing
amongst themselves. they travel in small groups waddling around. Fairy Penguins
grow to be about 18 in. and weigh around 2 lbs.
Fairy penguins are great swimmers and swim often. Even though they swim
often, and are great swimmers, Fairy penguins often stay dry! because they have oil
glands in their tails they dry really quickly, and rarely are wet. Female Fairy penguins
lay eggs, but both male and females incubate them. Once the eggs are hatched the
will stay incubated for the first three months of their seven year lives.
Sugar Glider
Sugar Gliders are often known as Flying Squirrels. This name is wrong for two reasons:
1: They don't fly, they glide, 2: they're not Squirrels! Sugar Gliders glide through the air by
expanding flaps of skin in between their arms to catch the wind much like the Draco lizard
from Asia. As you can see from the picture, Sugar Gliders are nocturnal, and their blue, grey
color helps them camouflage at night. During the day Sugar gliders sleep with a group of
7-12 others.
1: They don't fly, they glide, 2: they're not Squirrels! Sugar Gliders glide through the air by
expanding flaps of skin in between their arms to catch the wind much like the Draco lizard
from Asia. As you can see from the picture, Sugar Gliders are nocturnal, and their blue, grey
color helps them camouflage at night. During the day Sugar gliders sleep with a group of
7-12 others.
Wombat
Wombats are marsupials, so young's stay in their mothers pouch for six months, like kangaroos.
Wombats are also nocturnal, they dig their dens for their young and themselves to stay in during
the day. Wombats can dig dens up to 33 yards long! If a Wombat is annoyed it will make sort of
a hissing growl warning others to back off.
Wombats have adaptations like this that help them live up to 26 years. Wombats are mostly
solitary, but they do have 5-10 other wombats living near by.
Wombats are also nocturnal, they dig their dens for their young and themselves to stay in during
the day. Wombats can dig dens up to 33 yards long! If a Wombat is annoyed it will make sort of
a hissing growl warning others to back off.
Wombats have adaptations like this that help them live up to 26 years. Wombats are mostly
solitary, but they do have 5-10 other wombats living near by.
Tasmanian Pademelon
You may be wondering where this creature got it's name, Pademelon?! Well the reason
is because when a European settler was coming in they thought they saw a paddock
full of melons! Tasmanian Pademelons are mostly solitary, but they do tend to feed near
others of their species. You may think they are like Kangaroos, and Wallaby's, but they have
much shorter tails and legs.
is because when a European settler was coming in they thought they saw a paddock
full of melons! Tasmanian Pademelons are mostly solitary, but they do tend to feed near
others of their species. You may think they are like Kangaroos, and Wallaby's, but they have
much shorter tails and legs.
Tuatara
Tuataras are reptiles that are only found in New Zealand. They are also the only
species left alive in their family, thus making them of huge interest to scientists
and animal activist groups. Because of this they are sometimes even called living
fossils! Tuataras once lived in the mainlands of New Zealand but humans, and other
animals drove them to other off-shore islands. Although male Tuataras are bigger then
females both become sexually mature at age 15-20.
species left alive in their family, thus making them of huge interest to scientists
and animal activist groups. Because of this they are sometimes even called living
fossils! Tuataras once lived in the mainlands of New Zealand but humans, and other
animals drove them to other off-shore islands. Although male Tuataras are bigger then
females both become sexually mature at age 15-20.
Flying fox
Flying foxes are the largest bats in Australia. Since bats are mammals flying foxes are
warmblooded. Bats can't stand up, so they always have to be hanging, flying, or climbing.
Flying foxes are fruit eaters, and like most fruit eating bats they are diurnal. Diurnal bats
do not need Eco-location because since they come out in the day they can see
everything in the plain as, well, day!
warmblooded. Bats can't stand up, so they always have to be hanging, flying, or climbing.
Flying foxes are fruit eaters, and like most fruit eating bats they are diurnal. Diurnal bats
do not need Eco-location because since they come out in the day they can see
everything in the plain as, well, day!
Frill Necked Lizard
Normally the frill necked lizard's frill lies folded up around the sides of the lizard's neck, but
when frightened the lizard will open it's mouth, and its frill will open up. The color of the frill
depends on where the lizard lives, some frills are a powdery black, and other are a fire red.
Although this little guy may seem very scary, and ferocious it is not actually poisonous to
humans. Unfortunately for the insects it eats the frill necked lizard can be pretty scary guy
(unless you enjoy being digested!)
when frightened the lizard will open it's mouth, and its frill will open up. The color of the frill
depends on where the lizard lives, some frills are a powdery black, and other are a fire red.
Although this little guy may seem very scary, and ferocious it is not actually poisonous to
humans. Unfortunately for the insects it eats the frill necked lizard can be pretty scary guy
(unless you enjoy being digested!)
Dingo
Dingo's are canines who live in Australia. Recently more and more Dingo's have been
breed with dogs, the Dingo in the picture is a pure Dingo. Dingo's usually live in, or
near packs of up to 10 Dingo's. Dingo's usually hunt animals that are sick, or weak.
Dingo's usually eat baby animals like joeys (baby Kangaroos), or small animals like
rabbits, rodents, birds, lizards, and other critters of that sort. They will also eat things
that can't run away like...fruits, and plants!
when a female Dingo gives birth, the male, and the female both take care of the
baby. They work together to defend territory, and raise their child.
breed with dogs, the Dingo in the picture is a pure Dingo. Dingo's usually live in, or
near packs of up to 10 Dingo's. Dingo's usually hunt animals that are sick, or weak.
Dingo's usually eat baby animals like joeys (baby Kangaroos), or small animals like
rabbits, rodents, birds, lizards, and other critters of that sort. They will also eat things
that can't run away like...fruits, and plants!
when a female Dingo gives birth, the male, and the female both take care of the
baby. They work together to defend territory, and raise their child.
Glyphis Shark
otherwise known as the Speartooth shark. this is a fresh water shark! You may be thinking,
"What?! Fresh water sharks!?"Or you may not know that most sharks are salt water sharks!
The exact population of this shark is unknown, but they are suspected to be pretty rare. You
may not be able to tell from the picture, but they are about 61 in. (157 cm.) long. Very little is
known about the Glyphis/Speartooth shark, so unfortunately I do not have more information.
"What?! Fresh water sharks!?"Or you may not know that most sharks are salt water sharks!
The exact population of this shark is unknown, but they are suspected to be pretty rare. You
may not be able to tell from the picture, but they are about 61 in. (157 cm.) long. Very little is
known about the Glyphis/Speartooth shark, so unfortunately I do not have more information.
Double-Wattled Cassowary
This is a large powerful bird. It has armed feet, and hairlike quills. These birds eat seeds,
fruits, nuts, berries, and many more things like that. The patterns that these birds have are
different in each bird, like a Zebra's stripes. However they all tend to have blue, red, purple,
green and/or yellow on them somewhere! They live mostly in northern Australia, but also in
parts of New Guinea. Since it is one of the largest birds, the Double-Wattled Cassowary is
flightless. Cassowaries are also considered precious to native people, they have been traded
for pigs, and even for wives amongst native tribes.
fruits, nuts, berries, and many more things like that. The patterns that these birds have are
different in each bird, like a Zebra's stripes. However they all tend to have blue, red, purple,
green and/or yellow on them somewhere! They live mostly in northern Australia, but also in
parts of New Guinea. Since it is one of the largest birds, the Double-Wattled Cassowary is
flightless. Cassowaries are also considered precious to native people, they have been traded
for pigs, and even for wives amongst native tribes.
Cuscus
Not only a delicious meal, but also a very cute little Oceanian critter. You may be able to tell
from the picture on your left that the Cuscus spends most of it's time in the trees.They are
also nocturnal, so they sleep during the day, and search for food in the trees at night. They are
close relatives of the Possum, and like the Possum the Cuscus is a marsupial meaning it's
young are born and live in a pouch, like kangaroos. They have a long tail with a bald spot on the
tip, and strong toes used for gripping on to branches, you can sort of see the bottom toes in the
picture clinging onto the tree branches.
from the picture on your left that the Cuscus spends most of it's time in the trees.They are
also nocturnal, so they sleep during the day, and search for food in the trees at night. They are
close relatives of the Possum, and like the Possum the Cuscus is a marsupial meaning it's
young are born and live in a pouch, like kangaroos. They have a long tail with a bald spot on the
tip, and strong toes used for gripping on to branches, you can sort of see the bottom toes in the
picture clinging onto the tree branches.
Chital
The Chital is more commenly known as the Axis axis. They inhabit Grasslands and sometimes,
but rarely move to jungle-like habitats because they like to be able to see everything around
them, and be safe from hidden predators. Like most deers the Chital eats mainly grasses,
flowers, and fruits. In efforts to keep their population number up high, the Chital was introduced
into Texas and Hawaii, where it fortuanatly has survived and thrived!
but rarely move to jungle-like habitats because they like to be able to see everything around
them, and be safe from hidden predators. Like most deers the Chital eats mainly grasses,
flowers, and fruits. In efforts to keep their population number up high, the Chital was introduced
into Texas and Hawaii, where it fortuanatly has survived and thrived!
Numbat
The Numbat is a marsupial, and a very, cute marsupial in fact! Numbat's eat termites, but unfortunatly for
them, they are too weak to unearth the termites from their mounds themselves, so they just wait for the
termites to come out on their! Numbats follow the termites sleeping schedule to be active while they are, so
that they can eat more at a time. This is important especially in the winter because termites are not active
until the soil gets warm around morning.
Other than humans the Numbat has few predators, some predators they do have include: Cats and foxes.
them, they are too weak to unearth the termites from their mounds themselves, so they just wait for the
termites to come out on their! Numbats follow the termites sleeping schedule to be active while they are, so
that they can eat more at a time. This is important especially in the winter because termites are not active
until the soil gets warm around morning.
Other than humans the Numbat has few predators, some predators they do have include: Cats and foxes.