AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE ASSET Bilby

Macrotis lagotis (mak-roh'-tis: "hare-eared big-ear") Endangered species

The Bilby is one of Australia's most colourful marsupials that lies hidden beneath the burning surface of the Australian desert. The Bilby, with its long ears and silky fur, is another of Australia's endangered species. The Bilby has survived by retreating deeper and deeper into the desert where their biggest predator, the European fox, is unable to follow. During foraging the Bilby will bunny-like hop with their noses twitching to catch the faintest scent of seed and bulbs, their long ears swiveling for the sounds of subterranean insects. Once they have located their prey their 'dainty' forepaws become powerful digging tools to unearth their food. The Bilby obtains sufficient moisture from its food, making finding or drinking water unnecessary making the dry, arid conditions of the Australian desert an ideal haven for these delicate creatures. Bilbies are usually found singly or in small family 'colonies'. Several colonies occasionally gather at rich feeding sites, but in general they are nomads that shift home ranges regularly in search of new food sources. By day the Bilby sleeps in deep burrows, up to 6 feet deep, the entrance to the burrow is usually hidden beside a tussock, shrub or termite mound. Male Bilbies are much larger than their female counterpart and breeding extends throughout the year, but can be dependant on adequate food supply. The female Bilby has eight teats in her backward opening pouch but usually only rears 2 young. Once infants leave their mothers pouch, they are cached in nursery burrows for several weeks. For the first 2 weeks the infant Bilbies have gangly, almost furless, bodies with gigantic floppy ears.

Characteristics: About the size of a mature hare with large upright ears and an elongated pink nose. Blue-grey fur with white fur underbelly and a long black and white tail. Habitat: Arid and semiarid grasslands and stoney or clay open shrub lands for burrowing. Behaviour: Strictly nocturnal and often solitary. Family colonies consist of mated pairs, sometimes with 1 - 2 independent young. Breeding: All year round in favourable conditions. 1 - 2 infants are carried in the pouch about 11 weeks before being placed in the nursery burrow. Feeding: Omnivorous. Prefers bulbs, seeds, fruit and fungi. Will eat termites, ants and larvae if the preferred food is not available. Voice: Usually silent.

Dugong
Dugong dughon (dyue'-gon: "dugong dugong")
The Dugong, sometimes referred to as a 'sea cow', feeds entirely on seagrass in sheltered, shallow tropical coastal regions. The Dugong is Australia's only sea mammal that is exclusively herbivorous. (feeds on plants) The Dugong swims relatively slowly by means of vertical movements of its horizontally 'whale-like' fluked tail, surfacing about every 80 seconds to breathe air via two valvular nostrils on the front of its head. The Dugong's body shape resembles that of a plump dolphin and their head is dominated by a wide, pig-like snout. The fore limbs are their flippers and they do not have any hind limbs. Male Dugong's form small territories a few metres wide, on display for potential mates, where they remain during the breeding season. It is fairly common to see dozens of males in a shallow bay stirring up the sand as they patrol their territories and skirmish with neighbouring males. There is no defined breeding season for Dugong's and a single calf is reared at any one time and it can be up to six years between births. Mating can be a violent encounter as many females can be seen to have parallel scars on their backs made by the short tusks of an overzealous male. Calves stay fairly close to the mother for up to 18 months and swim with her in a piggy back style, just above her which offers protection from possible shark attacks from below. Characteristics: Body resembles a plump dolphin but lacks a dorsal fin and hind limbs. Dark grey to brown in colour with a wide pig-like snout. Habitat: Sheltered shallow tropical and sub-tropical coastal regions with abundant seagrass meadows.

Behaviour: Forages and rests thorough the day. Solitary but can be part of a small heard. Breeding: A single calf is born usually between September and April. The calf will accompany its mother for about 18 months. Feeding: Grazes exclusively on the leaves, rhizomes and roots of sea grasses. Voice: Very vocal. Barks associated with territorial aggression. Bird-like chirps with friendly interactions.

Echidna
Tachyglossus aculeatus (ak-yue'-lay-ah'-tus: "spiney fast-tongue")
Along with the Platypus, Echidna's are the world's last surviving monotremes. The Short-Beaked Echidna (usually referred to in Australia as the Echidna) spends most of its day sleeping in the shelter of fallen timber or rocks. Depending on the temperature and the availability of food, Echidna's feed for varying lengths of time between dusk and dawn. The Echidna's diet is made up of ants and termites, ploughing open their nests with huge powerful claws on their forefeet, then lapping up the insects with a 17 cm-long sticky tongue. The Echidna is found in most parts of Australia and in the lowlands of Papua New Guinea. Mating occurs in July and August. A single egg is laid into a temporary pouch which develops on the onset of the breeding season. The egg then takes about 10 days to hatch. The hatchling or 'Puggle' then emerges from

the mothers temporary pouch, bald, semi-transparent and without hind limbs. It will then make its way to the mothers permanent suckling pouch. The early milk of the Echidna mother is rich in iron and is a 'strawberry milk' colour. The Puggle's are suckled in the pouch until they begin to develop spines, as this becomes very uncomfortable for the mother. Still blind, the Puggle is then left in a short burrow while the mother is feeding. Puggle's are suckled between 6 and 7 months. A scared Echidna won't try to escape by running away from a threat instead the Echidna will vigorously start digging with both front and back legs and submerge below the surface of the ground in a submarine like manner. If the Echidna doesn't have time to dig itself in, an exposed Echidna will protect itself by rolling into a tight ball of sharp spines. Characteristics: Football sized, tailess body of spines or spikes, tubular beak type nose, short legs with powerful claws, light to dark brown fur with stout, cream coloured spikes. Habitat: Widespread across Australia and Papua New Guinea wherever termites and ants are abundant. Behaviour: Solitary, forages day or night depending on the temperature. Shelters during extreme temperatures in logs, amongst rocks or other animal burrows. Echidna's dig their own nursery burrow and juveniles first become visible during the spring. Breeding: A single egg is laid 2 weeks after June-September mating. Fast-growing puggle's weaned after 6-7 months. Feeding: Ploughs open termite and ant nests with strong claws, preferring to eat termites to biting ants. Voice: Usually silent. Echidna's softly coo or mew on occasion. Females my become more vocal whilst grooming themselves or their young.

Fur Seal
Arctocephalus pusillus (pue-sil'-us: "weak bear-head")
The Australian Fur Seal is largely confined to Bass Strait. They are excellent swimmers and descend to considerable depths is search of fish, small squid and rock lobsters. Breeding occurs in November and December and a single pup is reared and stay with the mother for about 11 months before being weaned. Male Fur Seals are much larger and bulkier than their female counterparts. Aggressive displays take places on land as the male fur seals become intensely territorial when breeding. Males put on ritual shows of strength and force by stretching to their full height, pushing and shoving each other and roaring threats which sometimes lead to bloody combat. A males reign over his territory usually only lasts a few years, as defending his territory is an exhausting activity during which he doesn't eat for several weeks. Characteristics: Adults are brownish-grey with a pointed snout. Males have a heavy build with a course mane and grow to 2.5m in length. Females are slimer and grow to about 1.5m. Habitat: Cool or temperate seas with rocky coastlines for breeding. Behaviour: Social animals. Often found in large colonies. Rests and nurses pups on land. Feeding every two days.

Breeding: A single pup born November-January. Weaned just prior to the next mating season. Feeding: Pursues prey underwater.Diet consists mainly of fish, squid and octopus. Occasionally crayfish and baby penguins. Voice: Often silent. Vocal while breeding. Males will bark and growl during territorial confrontations.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Macropus giganteus (jie'-gan-tay'-us: "giant long foot")
The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is a large and powerful marsupial with the male of the species reaching over 1.5 metres (5 foot 3 inches) in height. During the day the Eastern Grey Kangaroo sleeps in the shade of a tree or in dense shrubs. Eastern Grey Kangaroo's are very social animals, moving and grazing in small groups of 5 or 6 individuals by night. At times many smaller groups will form into one large feeding group of 20 or more. Activity declines after early morning when the kangaroos move from their open feeding grounds to seek shelter from the hot Australian sun. Spectacular social interactions can often be seen close to the summer breeding peak. The ritual aggression of the males kangaroos. Two rival adult males circle each other on all fours with their backs arched. Then a show of strength is made by ripping up grass and wrestling with shrubbery, coughing loudly and continually eyeing its rival. Challenges occasionally result in serious and vigorous fighting, with the kangaroos rearing up, leaping, kicking and grappling with their sharp, spread out claws. Stiff-walking and grass tearing are male threats which are common with most other species of kangaroo. Both the male and female Kangaroos stretch to their full height with their forelegs out-stretched when

trying to intimidate another. Males are twice the size of the females. The female reaches sexual maturity at about 18 months of age, whilst the males reach sexual maturity at 2 years. Breeding is continuous throughout the year with a single infant or 'joey' being reared at any one time. The joey remains in the mothers pouch for the first 9 month and remains close to the mother for a further 18 months. The mother-joey bond is remains strong at least until weaning and a joey newly out of their mothers pouch is very sensitive to separation. If a mother moves away from the joey to quickly, the joey will throw a conspicuous tantrum, clucking or 'tutting' urgently after her and hopping agitatedly up and down. Characteristics: Up to 1.6 metres in height, strong solid build. Thick, soft fur that varies from light to dark grey-brown Habitat: Wide range of wooded and forest areas with open grazing land. Behaviour: Grazes open areas from late afternoon till early morning. Usually in small groups but can join with larger grazing groups of 20 or more. Can swim if necessary, generally to avoid predators. Breeding: Breeding occurs throughout the year. A single joey is carried in the pouch for 9 months. Stays close to the mother for a further 18 months. Feeding: Grasses but also eats herbs and shrubs. Voice: Soft cluking or 'tutting' noise.

Red Kangaroo
Macropus rufus (rue'-fus: "red long-foot")
The Red Kangaroo is the dominant species of kangaroo in the drier more arid inland regions of Australia. Red kangaroos are nomads and wander in small groups comprising of one male, several females and their young. The small groups will often join with other small groups to make up larger groups or 'mobs' of several hundreds. The Red Kangaroo is the largest of all Australian marsupials and the mobs are dominated by gigantic battle-scarred males that can be over six feet tall. When to males are competing for a mates the confrontation is a very dramatic and intense one. Both males grip each other tightly with their large foreclaws, and wrestle, cuff and scratch their opponent, and occasionally balancing on their tails and lashing forward with their hind legs. Although the Red Kangaroos are well adapted for the arid regions of Australia, they are most abundant in the slightly wetter surrounding plains. They graze during the night on a wide variety of grasses and low herbaceous plants. When food is scarce the red kangaroo may extend its grazing into the early morning and late afternoon. Older males can be up to 3 times the weight of mature females. Females are sexually mature at 18 month of age while the males do not reach sexual maturity until they reach 2 years of age. A single infant or 'joey' is reared at any one time. In times of drought, when food is scarce females and some males become temporary infertile. Once the drought breaks and with kangaroos having a gestation period of only 33 days, it doesn't take very long for the number of joey's to return to it normal population levels. Characteristics: Large and powerful build. Red or smoky-blue in colour back with white underbelly. Distinguished by a black and white muzzle patch and a pale stripe between the mouth and ear.

Habitat: Inland plains and flat, open, grassy woodlands where rainfall provides for adequate grazing. Behaviour: Very social and nomadic. Lives in large mobs which usually travel in smaller subgroups. Mobs are generally comprised of one dominant male, several females and their young. Shelters and sleeps under trees during the day, grazes at night. Breeding: A single joey. The joey first leaves the mothers pouch at 6 - 7 months of age. Feeding: Forages in early morning and night for short grasses and herbs. Voice: Usually silent. Males will make hissing and screaming noises during confrontation. Mothers and infants make soft clicking or 'tutting' noises as contact calls.

Koala
Phascolarctos cinereus (sin-er-ay'-us: "ash-coloured pouched-bear")
The Koala is one of Australia's most well known marsupials. During the daylight hours Koalas can often be see dozing on a low forked branch of its home tree. Young Koalas are often seen hugging their mother back or snuggling against her while she dozes. At night the Koala will move vigorously to it favourite food source and often act aggressively to rival Koalas. In open forests and woodlands Koalas descend from the safety of the trees and scurry across the ground, and can even swim water courses, to move from its base tree to its feeding trees. Although the Koala ranges may overlap, the Koala is a solitary and very antisocial animal. Interaction becomes frequent and spectacular during the summer mating seasons. The interaction can include violent confrontations with rival males. Dominant male Koalas will chase and attack rival males, consequently male Koalas can be easily recognised by numerous battle scars inflicted by other male Koalas. At dusk during the mating season males can be heard bellowing to attract females. Their low pitched roars can be heard hundreds of meters through the forest. This bellowing also acts as a warning to other male Koala who may be in the area. Sexual maturity is reached at two years of age but due to competition of rival, more mature males they seldom mate until their third or fourth year. Most mating occurs between October and February. The female Koala has two teats in downward opening pouch and usually only one young is born. On extremely rare occasion twins can be born. Infant Koalas are first seen peering from their mothers pouches when they are about six months old when the baby koalas are weaned. Weaning the Infant Koalas on to eucalypt leaves is a very daunting task. The leaves are poor in nutrients, have high levels of toxins and contain many indigestible compounds. To ready their young for its new diet the mother produces a substance called 'pap'. Pap is a soft faeces which is eaten by the infant which allows them to gain the microbes needed to digest foliage.

Between bouts of chewing, young Koalas store chewed leaves in their cheek pouches this allows many of the needed nutrients to be released. The toxins contained in the leaves are filtered and removed by the liver. At the age of 12 months infant Koalas become independent and disperse to form their own home ranges. Characteristics: Large 50 to 82 cm with no visible tail, large rounded ears with fluffy tuffs, large, black nose. Soft, wooly fur, pale grey to grey-brown in colour. Habitat: Eucalypt forests and woodlands. Common in coastal forest regions. Widespread inland where Eucalypt trees grow. Behaviour: Inactive for up to 20 hours a day. This inactivity allows the Koala to conserve energy enabling the Koala to survive on a poor quality diet. Moves between trees on all fours, bounding when threatened. Excellent swimmers and have a well defined home range. Breeding: Single young born in Summer and remains in the mothers pouch for 6 months. Feeding: Eats only Eucalypt leaves. Voice: Usually silent. Males give deep snorting bellows during breeding seasons.

Numbat
Myrmecobius fasciatus (fas'-ee-ah'-tus: "striped feeder-on-ants") Endangered species
The Numbat is the only Australian marsupial that is specialised for feeding on ants and termites. Like the Short Nosed Echidna, it pick up ants and termites with its rapidly moving, long sticky tongue. The tongue of a mature Numbat is approximately 10 - 14 cm long and can consume up to 20,0000 insects a day. Unlike the Echidna, the Numbat does not have strongly developed forelimbs. The Numbat's limbs are fairly delicate and their claws are fairly small. The Numbat feeds on the ants and termites it finds in the soft rotting timber or in the runways just below the surface of the ground. Termites use these runways to travel between feeding areas and the main nest. During the winter months, the Numbat is most active around midday, this is also when termites are the most busiest. During the summer months the Numbat prefers to nap in hollow logs or burrows during the hottest hours of the day, and feeds midmorning and midafternoon. Once again this is when termite activity is at it busiest. Sexual maturity of the Numbat is reached by the age of 11 months and mating occurs between December and February and usually three or four young are reared. Female Numbats dig a tunnel to a nesting chamber and can often be seen collecting grass and small twigs during July to line their nests. By July the Numbat has been carrying their young on their teats for nearly six months. Once the infant Numbats become furry and begin to get too heavy, they are left in the burrow during the day. During the early part of September the infant Numbats emerge and can be seen sunbaking and playing near the entrance of the burrow, and by early to mid December the infant Numbats are fully independant and disperse to form their own home range.

Characteristics: Slender, with long bushy tail and tapering snout. Rustic in colour with white stripes across the back and rump. Black mask type markings through the eyes. Habitat: Wandoo woodlands and open jarrah forests with high concentrations of termites and hollow logs. Behaviour: Solitary, only being social during the mating season. Active in open areas on sunny days, foraging around fallen logs in search of termites. Scurries into hollow logs or under shrubbery if disturbed. Breeding: Late summer where usually 4 furless young are born 2 weeks after mating. The young Numbats emerge from their nests in September and are independent by mid December. Feeding: Consumes up to 20,000 termites a day. Voice: Can be heard softly clucking while foraging.

Platypus
Ornithorhynchus anatinus (an'-ah-tee'-nus: "duck-like bird-snout")
The Platypus is one of Australia's most unique and unusual animals. It lays eggs like a bird and suckles it's young lik mammals. The Platypus feeds on aquatic insect larvae, shrimps and worms. The Platypus finds these by 'dabbling' its 'duck-like' beak, (commonly referred to as a bill), in the mud, silt and sand of freshwater rivers and lakes. The Platypus keeps its eyes shut when swimming under water and their ducklike bill provides the platypus with a great sense of sound. Underwater the webbed forefeet become powerful oars whilst the hind webbed feet act as steering and brakes. Whilst diving the eyes, ears and nose of the Platypus are tightly closed. The duck-like bill is also extremely sensitive to the very small electric currents generated by its prey allowing the Platypus to easily find food in the in the mud, silt and sand of freshwater rivers and lakes. The Platypus feeds at night and with peaks of activity several hours after dusk and before dawn. During the day the Platypus rests in a burrow in the banks of the rivers or lakes and can often be seen close to the entrance of its burrow either basking in the sun or grooming its dense fur. The male platypus are larger than the females. The male Platypus has a sharp, hollow, horny spur on the inside of its ankles. These spurs are connected to a venom gland which produces a very strong toxin. Although the spurs can be used for defence against predators, they are more commonly used in aggressive encounters between male Platypuses fighting for mating rights. Mating between Platypuses occurs only once a year, August in the warmer northern parts of Australia and in October in the southern parts of Australia. The female generally lays 2 eggs in a mating burrow, which can be up to 60 feet long (20 meters long), and incubates these between their abdomen and curled tail for about 2 weeks.

The female Platypus does not have suckling teats and the baby Platypuses suck milk directly from milk ducts located on the mothers abdomen. The young Platypuses are suckled for 4 to 5 months and emerge from the breeding burrow at about six weeks of age. Characteristics: Dark fur colour, otter shaped body between 40 and 60 cm long, large leathery looking bill, large paddle like tail with webbed front and rear feet. Habitat: Fresh water streams preferring still or slow flowing waters. Behaviour: Solitary mammal, resting and sheltering during the day ina burrow. Most active prior to dawn and dusk. Prey is stored in cheek pouches underwater and consumed whilst floating on the surface. Breeding: 1 - 2 eggs although this can be up to 3 eggs laid about 3 weeks after mating. Eggs are incubated for 10 - 14 days. Feeding: Shrimps, yabbies, snails, insects. Ocassionally small amphibians and small fish. Voice: Ususally silent but will make a soft growling noise if disturbed.

Common Ringtail Possum

Pseudocheirus peregrinus (pe'-re-green'-us: "foreign false-hand")
The Common Ringtail Possom is the smallest, but has the widest distribution of all the ringtail species. It inhabits the eastern parts and western tip of Australia with some being found in the Bass Straight islands. The Common Ringtail Possom feeds on eucalypt leaves, buds, blossoms and soft fruits. They have adapted very well to urban living and frequently visit to the surbaban gardens where they spice up their normal diet on exotic fruits and flowers. The common ringtail possom is an agile climber and often uses its long white tipped tail as a fifth limb or safety device. If the possom happens to slip and fall the tail is strong enough to prevent the possom from fatally falling to the forest floor. The tail is also used to carry grass and leaves to feather its nest. The possom is a nocternal species and typically sleeps during the day in a leafy nest in a tree hole. If a tree hole is not avaiable the possom will construct a spherical nest of shreded tree bark and leaves in a fork in the tree. Common Ringtail possoms are not agressive and several individuals may share overlapping home ranges with their nests in close proximity. Early evening is the best time to catch a glimpse of the Common Ringtail Possom as this is when foraging is at its peak. Older infants are usually left in the nest or carried on the mothers back on foraging expiditions. Common Ringtails are very vocal and have a characherstic soft bird-like twitter. Parents will often call wayward young back to their nest if a preditor is nearby. Breeding takes place from April to November. The female has four teats but usually only rears a maximum of 2 young at any one time. Male Ringtail possoms are dedicated carers who take part in carrying infants around, groom them between feeding times and babysit them when the mother is away from the nest. Males put in a lot of ground work before breeding. They become attentitive escorts to the female by following her around and gently grooming her before eventually sharing the nest. Family groups are very close knit, mated

pairs forage together and snuggle down together with their young during the day. Characteristics: Body length 30 - 35 cm with small rounded ears. Grey-brown to Black back with white to redish-brown underside. 30 - 35 cm tail that is always white tipped. Habitat: Forests to woodlands with dense shrubs. Common in urban parks and gardens. Behaviour: Strictly nocturnal. Rests during th edaylight hours in nests. Frequently associated with family groups until young are weaned. Home range of the male usually overlaps the home range of 2 females. Breeding: Breeding occurs between April and November. Twins are a common and somtimes 2 litters are reared per year. Feeding: Eucalypt leaves, buds and blossoms, exotic fruits and flowers of urban gardens. Voice: Soft to High pitched twittering sound.

Australian Sea-lion
Neophoca cinerea (sin'-eray'-ah: "ash-coloured new-seal")
The Australian Sea-lion inhabits mostly the Western Australian and South Australian coasts and forms breeding colonies on the rocky shores. Males are distinguished by a cape of pale hair on the back of the head and shoulders. The Sea-lions diet comprises mainly of cuttlefish and squid but fish, crayfish and penguins also become prey to the sea lions. Younger Sea-lion pups are glossy black in colour until they first moult, they are often seen sprawled together on the sandy beaches, using each other as pillows, waiting for their mothers to return from foraging trips to nurse them. Female sea lions gather in larger numbers on their popular pupping sites to give birth. These areas are usually well protected, rocky patches of sandy beaches. Soon after giving birth to their pups, females come into oestrus and the male sea-lions start to arrive to mate. The younger bulls arrive first in an attempt to gain a territory before the more mature, heavier bulls arrive. A fully matured sea-lion bull can weigh as much as 300kg. Once the mature bulls arrive they stake out their territory around groups of cows and defend it fiercely against any rivals. Huge threats and gigantic battles are common during the mating season. During confrontation bull rear up, open mouthed displaying their sharp teeth, snapping, slapping and roaring as they chase of rival bulls. The breeding season is especially dangerous for new born pubs as many are caught between the fighting bulls and are usually salvaged or trampled to death. Outside the breeding season bull bask placidly on the sandy beaches. Characteristics: Short snout and very small ears. Older males are very bulky and can be up to 2m long with dark brown to black. Females grow to about 1.5m and are a silvery grey in colour.

Habitat: Sandy beaches and rocky shores of mainland Australia and surrounding the surrounding seas. Behaviour: Visits land for 2 to 3 days between foraging. Sea feeding trips can be of several days duration. Colonies can be made up of dozens or hundreds of individuals. Breeding: Breeding season can last up to 5 months. A single pup is born after a 14 month gestation. Sea lion pups are nursed for a further 13 months. Feeding: Fish, squid, crayfish and small flightless sea birds such as penguins. Voice: Usually silent. Males Bellow during the breeding season.

Sugar Glider
Petaurus breviceps (bre'-vee-seps: "shortheaded rope-dancer")
Sugar Gliders are the most commonly seen of all the glider species and weighs less than 150 grams. The Sugar Glider launches itself from a branch using its hind feet and star jumps into the air. A membrane attached to the Sugar Gliders wrists and ankles opens either side of its body allowing the Sugar Glider to easily and gracefully glide from tree to tree. The Sugar Glider can glide up to 50 meters and their ariel stunts are best seen after dark in open forests as they go in search of food.

During the day the Sugar Glider sleeps in a leaf lined nest they make in a hollowed out tree branch. Sugar Gliders are social animals, sharing the tree hollows with several adult gliders, usually a dominant male and several females with their infants. The dominant male marks his territory with his male scent, drives off rivals and forces the young Sugar Gliders to disperse after 8 to 10 months. In cold weather or when food is scarce, individuals may enter a state of inactivity. Most breeding occurs in June and July but in certain circumstances can carry through to November. The female usually rears 2 young and twins are common. Young Sugar Gliders can be seen emerging from the nest in spring and by summer they have perfected their gliding technique and set out to seek new social groups. Characteristics: Medium size body 18 - 23 cm long with a bushy tail up to 30 cm in length. Smoky blue to brown fur with dark stipe spanning from the forehead to half way down their back. Habitat: Most common in open forests especially near wattles using hollow trees for shelter. Behaviour: Sleeps in a leaf lined nest in hollows of large tree branches during the day. Forages the canopies and glides between food trees at night. Infants begin foraging with their mothers at about 15 weeks. Breeding: June and July. 2 young are born, carried for 10 weeks then left in a group nest. Feeding: Eucalypt sap lapped from incisions made in the tree trunks. Wattle gum, invertebrates found under tree bark, nectar, pollen and seeds. Voice: Chatters or screams loudly when threatened or when fighting. A series of shrill barks to warn of predators.

Tasmanian Devil
Sarcophilus harrisii (ha'-ris-ee-ee: "Harris's Flesh Lover")
Named after G.P.R. Harris, who discovered the species. The Tasmanian Devil is Australia's largest carnivorous marsupial. Their ferocious, but somewhat undeserved, reputation arises partly from the competition of group feeding. Although the Tasmanian Devil is a solitary and shy animal, and their reputation for being ferocious arises from when a group of 20 or more animals compete for the best body parts of a carcass. The Devils will shove, snarl, shriek and aggressively display their large teeth. Heavy scarring on older animals indicate the powerful jaws and long teeth are sometimes used against each other in battle. Tasmanian Devils typically forage at night, scavenging or hunting vertebrates, particularly mammals, which they pursue with an unrelenting lope before pouncing. The teeth of the Tasmanian Devil can easily inflict lethal bites and in combination with their strong jaws allows the Tasmanian Devil to dispose of every morsel of its prey, including its bones. One of the unusual behaviours of the Tasmanian Devil is the way they devour the carcass of larger mammals. They consume the carcass of larger mammals from the inside out. There is always something a little unnerving when seeing a dead wombat carcass heaving and bulging as a Tasmanian Devil emerges from the inside the carcass covered in gore. Mating takes place in March and April. The female Tasmanian Devil has four teats in a well developed backward-directed pouch and suckles several young in her pouch for about 15 weeks. Once infant Devils leave the mothers pouch they are left in well concealed dens, usually burrows or hollow logs, and by November are starting to explore the world outside of the den. Juvenile Devils are weaned onto flesh at about 8 months of age and soon after disperse to form new home ranges. Early independence is a dangerous time for young Tasmanian Devils and only half may survive during their first year, many losing out in competition for food to the more mature Tasmanian Devils.

Characteristics: Somewhat dog like in appearance, stocky with a long broad head and massive jaws and large teeth. Black in colour with a white patch on their chest. Habitat: Dry forest areas with open grassy areas that attract small mammals. Behaviour: Nocturnal and is most active several hours after sunset. Usually hunts alone, returning to its den during the daylight hours. Climbs well and forages along roadways and tidelines. Breeding: Mating occurs during March. Of several young born in April, usually only 2 - 3 will survive to leave the pouch in August. Feeding: Hunts small to medium size mammals, including weak or juvenile wallabies, possums and wombats. Also eats birds and insect larvae. Voice: Usually silent, although aggression with rivals when feeding often includes low warning growls, yells, and ear splitting shrieks.

Common Wombat
Vombatus ursinus (er-see'-nus: "bear-like wombat")
Australia has 3 types of wombat; the most abundant common wombat and the extremely rare Southern Hairynosed Wombat and the Northern Hairynosed wombat. The common wombat has course, stiff hair and a hair free muzzle. During the day the wombat sleeps in a nest of vegetation or in a burrow within its home range. During the night wombats move over large areas grazing on young grasses and sledges. In the colder winter months the wombat will graze during the day. Wombats are most intolerant of others invading their feeding grounds, which they defend aggressively and define with scent markings. Confrontations are infrequent but growling disputes can occur when a rival wombat invades anothers range. Adult males also threaten others by swaying their heads and displaying their formidable teeth. The wombat may look a little slow and cumbersome but they are capable of speeds of up to 40km/h and are very good climbers if need be. Wombats dig shallow burrows for night-time refuges and elaborate burrows as day-time resting place. When pursued the wombat will retreat to their burrow and block the entrance with their hefty, tough rump. Their rump is tough enough to crush intruders against the sides of the burrow walls. Sexual maturity is reached at the age of two years and breeding takes place throughout the year and peaks from September to November. The female has two teats in a backward opening pouch but usually only rears one young at a time. The young wombat will remain in the mothers pouch for about six months, after which the infant wombat will follow its mother on foot for a further 12 months until it is weaned and independent. Characteristics: Large, stocky build, short legs with no visible tail. Broad head, small ears and a hairless nose. Course grey/brown fur.

Habitat: Sclerophyll forest with adjacent grazing in mountainous areas. Woodland and heath at lower altitudes. Behaviour: Solitary. Shelters in burrows during the day, grazes at night. Gallops noisily if disturbed. Breeding: Single infants are born all year round. Infants are carried in the mother pouch for six months and remain with the mother for a further 11 - 12 months. Infant wombats make a urgent hissing sound if separated from the mother. Feeding: Grazes in open fields on grasses, herbs and tree roots. Voice: Usually silent. Males growl when confronted by rival wombats. Females and infants communicate with repeated short hissing sounds.

Broad-faced Potoroo
Potprous platyops (plat'-ee-ops: "flat-looking potoroo") Extinct
The Broad-faced Potoroo is the smallest of the potoroo species. The Broad-faced Potoroo body length was aproximately 24cm long and its tail was approximately 18cm long. It had a fat-cheeks, giving it a broad-faced appearance and inhabited the semi-arid, woodland and grassland areas of southern Western Australia. The Broad-faced Potoroo was first described in 1839 but has not been seen since 1875. Nothing is known about its bilogy.

Crescent Nailtail Wallaby

Onychogalea lunata (lue-nah'-tah: "crescent [moon] nailed-weasel") Extinct
The scientific and common name refers to a white stripe behind each shoulder. Althought the Crescent Nailtail Wallaby was reported to have been last seen in the 1950's, the species is more than likely extinct. The Crescent Nailtail Wallaby was a nocternal mammal, feeding at night and sleeping during the day in a small trench under a low bush. When threatened or chased it would take refuge in hollow logs or scamper up trees. Nothing is known about its reproductive bilogy

Desert Rat-Kangaroo
Caloprymnus campestris (kam-pes'-tris: "open-country beautiful-rump") Extinct
The Desert Rat-Kangaroo had a broad head and its tail and hind feet were longer than the combined length of its head and body. The Desert Rat-Kangaroo hopped at speed in a most unusual manner. With the right leg touching the ground in front of the left, which was inclined outward at an angle of about 30 degrees to the line of travel. The Desert Rat-Kangaroo were able to hop fast and for long periods of time, it was reported that one was chased by men galloping on horseback for almost 20 kilometres. The Desert Rat-Kangaroo fed at night, although its diet is unknown, and slept in a well constructed nest of grass and twigs during the day. The last reported sighting was prior to 1935 and it is assumed this species now extinct.

Eastern Hare-wallaby
Lagorchestes leporides (lep'-or-ee'-dayz: "hare-like dancing-hare") Extinct
The Eastern Hare-wallaby inhabited the southeast of Australia and more than likely became extinct towards the end of the nineteenth century. During the day the Eastern Hare-wallaby slept in it shelter which it excavated under large tussocks, and foraged at night. When disturbed it would run in a zig-zag harelike manner often making prodigious leaps of 1.8 metres or more. Nothing is know of its diet or reproductive biology.

Lesser Bilby
Macrotis leucura (luke-ue'-rah: "white-tailed big-ear") Extinct
The Lesser Bilby was very similar to the body shape of the Bilby but only much smaller, and about one third its weight and size. The Lesser Bilby inhabited the central desert regions of Australia and is believed to have become extinct in the 1930's. Being largely carnivorous, feeding on rodents the Lesser Bilby also ate vegetation and seeds. Like the Bilby of today, the Lesser Bilby was nocturnal and constructed deep burrows and seal the entrance with sand when the Bilby was inside during the daylight hours. Females had eight teats in a backward opening pouch but only reared two young at any one time.

Lesser Stick-nest Rat

Leporillus apicalis (ah'-pik-ah'-lis: "tipped little-hare") Extinct
Nothing is know about the Lesser Stick-nest Rat accept that it inhabited the arid central and west Australian regions. The last know sighting of the Lesser Stick-nest Rat was in 1933.

Long Tail Hopping Mouse

Notomys longicaudatus (lon'-jee-kaw-dah'-tus: "long-tailed southern mouse") Extinct
Not a lot is know bout the Long Tail Hopping Mouse it was last collected in 1901. It is believed to be related to the Mitchell Hopping Mouse. Its body was approximately 13cm long with a 18cm tail. The Long Tail Hopping Mouse inhabited the arid to semiarid woodlands and grasslands with clayey soil of central Australia. Nothing is known of it biology.

Pig-footed Bandicoot
Chaeropus ecaudatus (ay'-kaw-dah'-tus: "tail-less pig-foot" The first specimen to be described having accidentally lost it tail) Extinct
Unlike other perameloids (bandicoote and bilby species), the Pig-footed Bandicoot appears to have been quadrupedal (having all four limbs used for walking, having four feet). The Pigfooted Bandicoot inhabited the semiarid woodland with a dense understorey, shrubland and the tussock grasslands. The Pig-footed Bandicoot run on the tips of its hoof-like feet. Only the second and third toes of the forefeet were functional, the first and fifth toe absent and the fourth toe minute. On the hind feet, only the fourth toe was functional(the first absent, the second and third were small and fused together, and the fifth toe minute. Being nocternal, the Pig-footed Bandicoot would feed on grasses and during the daylight hours and sleep in a nest of twigs and leaves over a shallow scrape. The female had eight teats ina backward-directed pouch but only reared two young at anyone time. The young were born in May - june.

Tasmanian Tiger
Thylacinus cynocephalus (sie'-noh-sef'-al-us: "dog-headed pouched-dog") Extinct
The Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger as it is commonly known in more recent times was one of Australian's largest carnivorous marsupial. The size of it head and forequarters remarkably resembled that of a wild dog, while its actual brain size was considerable smaller. This could be one explanation why the Thylacine became extinct on mainland Australia after the introduction of the Dingo by Asian sailors over 5000 years ago. The Dingo didn't reach Tasmania, which became separated from mainland Australia over 12,000 years ago. There is little know about the biology of the Thylacine. The Thylacine was nocturnal, hunting marsupials at night and sleeping in dense vegetation by day. The Thylacine was not a fast predator and more than likely stalked it prey until it became tired. When sheep were introduced into Tasmania, the Thylacine attacked lambs, weak and penned sheep. For this reason a large bounty was placed on the Thylacine head, although not a large number of Thylacine were trapped and killed, it did help reduce the numbers of the Thylacine. The rapid decline of the population was more than likely the result of its habitat being taken over for agriculture. Breeding is believed to be throughout the year, with a peak of births in winter and spring. Females had four teats in a backward opening pouch. Occasionally up to four young were reared but usually two to three young being reared at any one time.

Toolache Wallaby
Named after G.Gray, explorer and governor of South Australia, who collected the first specimens.

Macropus greyi (gray'-ee: "Grey's long-foot")

Extinct
The common name of this species is pronounced toh-lay'-chee. The Toolache Wallaby was abundant in the south-east region of South Australia at the time of European settlement. The Toolache Wallaby became extinct during the nineteenth century more than likely due to the removal of its natural habitat. The Toolache Wallaby was nocturnal, it fed at night on native grasses and during the day slept in the cover of dense vegetation. The Toolache Wallaby was a social animal moving, sleeping and feeding in groups. Nothing is known about its reproductive biology.

White-footed Rabbit-rat
Conilurus albipes (al'-bi-pez: "white-footed rabbit-tail") Extinct
The White-footed Rabbit-rat is an extinct species it was last collected in 1840. The White-footed Rabbit-rat mainly lived in the trees and nested in the hollows of tree branches of subtropical to cool-temperate sclerophyll forests. The head and body measured 23 to 26cm while it tail was between 22 and 24cm. The female had four teats and reared up to three young which fastened themselves firmly to the mothers teats.