What Makes Australian Animals Unique

Australia's Unique Animal Kingdom

Flightless birds, Kangaroos with pouches who love to box the ears off any willing opponent and adorable little bears that love to climb trees with the shyest expressions are just a few of the reasons Australian Animals are so unique. In a land that is ultra urban and yet surrounded by water, such animals present a rare opportunity for tourists as well as Australians to view the habitats of creatures like dingos, cassowary, goannas and the legendary "Tasmanian Devil".

Australian Marsupials and Mammals

If the sight of a Kangaroo and its progeny fail to excite, there is a similar creature, "the wallaby", a kind of combination kangaroo and wallaby known as the "wallaroo". Australia's animal kingdom has no competition where animal evolution is concerned. Even the water babies, like the bottleneck dolphin, dugong and furseal are signature "Australian". One really unique sea creature, the "sea dragon", whether the "leafy" or "weedy" breed, seem to emulate a sea horse. The difference is that they have appendages that are delicate and graceful. The theme song from the movie, "Jaws" might just be the royal announcement of Australia's Great White Shark, that sleek, yet fierce king of the sea.

The Avians of Australia

Not to be outdone by their land-bound animal relatives, the Australian skies are a treasure trove of birds. Not to be missed because of its patently beautiful feathers is the Galah, a rosy-breasted cockatoo. Actually, Galah can't be missed. His shrill call will remind you of his presence. Though Galah likes the wide open plains Australia is so famous for, he (or she) may be found in local parks as well. For a really striking gentleman, the Pied oyster catcher appears to be ready for formal flight in his tuxedo style feathers. While peacocks are colorful, the Australian "Lyrebird", though less colorful, is no match for the harp-shaped tail all males wear with pride. When in their element, they love to mimic other birds. Here's a guy who builds his own center stage from a mound of dirt just to attract a mate. If she isn't bowled over by his glitz and glam, she won't escape his crooning for very long. For color appeal, there's the Australian kingfisher. That laughter heard in the background? That's a kookaburra, part of the kingfisher family. With a pale brown fuzzy head, the body is a vision in varying shades of brown and taupe. What makes a kookaburra laugh? It could be that the kookaburra is just plain happy to be part of the Australian bird kingdom. They start their day with a laugh and end it that way too.

Only in Australia...

Where else but in the Land Down Under would anyone find a "Flying Fox"? These unusual creatures appear to have started out as prehistoric bats, which is fairly accurate since they are of the bat family. The difference is that they are larger than the iconic bat most people imagine. If there is one unique extinct Australian creature, it is the Thylacine, or, "dog-headed pouch dog", appearing canine, the stripes on his back are similar to a tiger. The Thylacine had a long, almost beak-like mouth with an unusually wide opening. Like kangaroos, the Thylacine had a pouch.

What Makes Them So Unique?

A continent of many wonders make Australia's animals unique.