AustralianAustralian Flora and Flora and Fauna Fauna

(Plants and Animals)(Plants and Animals)

Fauna - AnimalsFauna - Animals

Australia is an island, so it has been separated from Australia is an island, so it has been separated from other continents for a long time. This means the other continents for a long time. This means the

plants and animals have evolved differently. 70% of plants and animals have evolved differently. 70% of plants and animals in Australia are native and can plants and animals in Australia are native and can

only be found there. only be found there.

KangarooKangaroo

A kangaroo is a A kangaroo is a marsupial, with large marsupial, with large feet, a strong tail and feet, a strong tail and females have a pouch for females have a pouch for joeys. Kangaroos are joeys. Kangaroos are herbivores and they can herbivores and they can be red or grey. There are be red or grey. There are more than 40 million more than 40 million kangaroos in Australia. kangaroos in Australia.

Marsupial: a mammal which carries its baby in a pouchJoey: a baby kangaroo

Tasmanian DevilTasmanian Devil

The Tasmanian Devil is about a metre long and has black The Tasmanian Devil is about a metre long and has black and white fur. It is a carnivore. It is endangered, only and white fur. It is a carnivore. It is endangered, only found in Tasmania and a disease, like cancer, is killing a found in Tasmania and a disease, like cancer, is killing a lot of devils. lot of devils.

KoalaKoala

A koala is a marsupial about the size of a cat. They A koala is a marsupial about the size of a cat. They have thick grey/brown fur, fluffy ears and live in have thick grey/brown fur, fluffy ears and live in trees. Koalas sleep about 20 hours every day and eat trees. Koalas sleep about 20 hours every day and eat eucalyptus leaves. eucalyptus leaves.

WombatWombat

A wombat is a short, muscular marsupial about 1 A wombat is a short, muscular marsupial about 1 metre in length. Wombats live on the ground in metre in length. Wombats live on the ground in burrows. Their pouch faces backwards, so that no dirt burrows. Their pouch faces backwards, so that no dirt can get it. Wombats are herbivores and they are grey can get it. Wombats are herbivores and they are grey brown. brown.

PlatypusPlatypus

A playtpus is a monotreme, which is a mammal that A playtpus is a monotreme, which is a mammal that lays eggs. The platypus is semi-aquatic. It has a bill, lays eggs. The platypus is semi-aquatic. It has a bill, like a duck, feet like an otter and tail like a beaver. It is like a duck, feet like an otter and tail like a beaver. It is venomous. venomous.

EchidnaEchidna

An echidna is also a monotreme, a mammal that lays An echidna is also a monotreme, a mammal that lays eggs. They have brown and black touch skin and eggs. They have brown and black touch skin and spikes. Echidnas eat ants and termites. spikes. Echidnas eat ants and termites.

EmuEmu

An emu is the largest bird in Australia. It has soft An emu is the largest bird in Australia. It has soft brown feathers and is about 2 metres tall. Emus are brown feathers and is about 2 metres tall. Emus are herbivores and although they are a bird, they cannot herbivores and although they are a bird, they cannot fly. Instead they run. They also lay big green eggs. fly. Instead they run. They also lay big green eggs.

KookaburraKookaburra

A kookaburra is a brown and white bird. ItA kookaburra is a brown and white bird. It’’s call s call sounds like laughter. Kookaburras eat small animals sounds like laughter. Kookaburras eat small animals

and insects. and insects.

SnakesSnakesAustralia has many venomous snakes. Australia has many venomous snakes.

SpidersSpiders

Australia Australia also has a also has a lot of lot of spiders, spiders, many of many of which are which are dangerous. dangerous.

CrocodilesCrocodiles

Australia has two types of crocodiles, saltwater and Australia has two types of crocodiles, saltwater and freshwater Fresh water crocodiles can grow to 3 freshwater Fresh water crocodiles can grow to 3 metres long. Saltwater can grow to 7 metres long. metres long. Saltwater can grow to 7 metres long. Both lay eggs. Both lay eggs.

Flora – Plants Flora – Plants

Australia has 24 000 kinds of plants, which are native Australia has 24 000 kinds of plants, which are native only to Australia. England has 1700. only to Australia. England has 1700.

Bottle Brush

WattleGrevilla

Banksia

Melaluca

Queensland Grass Tree Eucalyptus TreePaperbark Tree

Jacaranda Tree