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Emperor penguins are one of the "classic" penguin species that people imagine when they hear the name. Along with King Penguins andAdelie penguins, they are representative of the whole group.

Emperor Penguin Basics

Average Weight: 30kg - 66lb

Average Height: 115cm - 3.8ft

Breeding Season: April - December - Emperors breed in the depth of the Antarctic winter. The average temperature is around -20°C (-4°F) falling as low as -50°C (- 58°F) and with winds that gust up to 200km per hour (124mph).

Reproduction: Emperor Penguins breed almost exclusively on sea-ice near to the coast of Antarctica, rarely on land, the breeding colonies can be up to 200 km from the open sea.

Estimated world population: - 595,000, stable.

Feeding: Eat mainly fish in Antarctica, also krill and squid which can be more important in some places.

Conservation status: Near threatened..

Distributionn: Circumpolar, breed right up against the continent.Leopard seals and killer whales- main predators of adult birds. Skuas - prey on eggs and chicks.
Emperor penguin adaptations

What are Emperor penguins like?

Emperor penguins have the upright and regal bearing that their name suggests. They take the dinner-jacketed formality of all penguins to its highest level and though they are able to be as awkward, gawky and get as dirty as other penguins, when they shake it all off and stand up to regain their dignity, there are few if any more stately and elegant animals on earth.

Emperor penguins are the largest of penguin species with an average weight of around 30kg (66lb) but can be up to 40kg (88lb) and a height of approx. 1.15m (3.8ft).

They have colourful feathers around their necks and heads, though are not quite as bright as king penguins which are almost as large. There is little or no possibility of confusing the two species however as their distribution around Antarctica is very different. While king penguins are a sub-Antarctic species, being based on islands dotted around the continent, emperor penguins are animals of the deep south. They are never found together.

Emperor penguins have yellow ear patches that are "open" fading into the white of the breast feathers, whereas king penguins have orange ear patches that are "closed" by a band of black feathers. Emperor penguin chicks have distinctive plumage with a large white face patch.

Where do Emperor penguins live?

All but 3 of about 40 known emperor penguin colonies are on winter fast ice that is frozen solid and attached to the land from autumn until it begins to break up in the spring (though some years it doesn't break up at all). They are found all around the coasts of the Antarctic continent. They breed during the depths of the Antarctic winter and in some of the most desolate, coldest, windiest and downright grim places on the planet during the season of 24 hour darkness. Some emperor penguins are the only birds that never set foot on land.

The first breeding colony wasn't discovered until 1902 by Lt. Reginald Skelton on Scott's 1901-04 Discovery Expedition some 130 years after the birds had first been seen on Captain Cook's second voyage. New colonies were still being discovered as late as 2009. Nowadays satellite imagery is used to find breeding emperor penguin colonies in remote regions.

Early in the 20th century, Emperor penguins were thought to be some kind of evolutionary "missing link", something that scientists thought could be proven by observing the growth of the embryo at various stages. On Scott's 1910-1913 Terra Nova expedition a small group of expeditioners set out on a winter sledging journey led by Wilson, the biologist and including the young Apsley Cherry-Garrard, famously this gave rise to the acknowledged greatest of all Antarctic adventure and travel books " The Worst Journey in the World".

Emperor penguin diving adaptations

Emperor penguins feed on fish, krill and squid which they catch on dives that are longer and deeper than any other penguin or bird species. They can dive to a depth of 1,800 feet (550 meters) and hold their breath for up to 22 minutes. This allows them to reach and exploit food resources that other birds can't reach.

The diving adaptations and abilities of emperor penguins have been widely studied, they have been found to have:

1/ an increased ability to store oxygen in the body
2/ the ability to tolerate low levels of oxygen in the body
3/ the ability to tolerate the effects of pressure.

Emperor penguins tolerate low levels of oxygen during dives that would cause a human to pass out and they experience pressures so great that we would get the bends. Neither of these things seem to adversely affect penguins. Their diving physiology is studied at McMurdo Station at a place called penguin ranch 15 miles out in the sea ice where there is only a single hole in the ice, so the penguins must return there to leave the sea.

A penguin's normal resting heart-beat is about 60-70 beats per minute (bpm), this goes up to 180-200 bpm before a dive as they load up with oxygen, then as they hit the water, the rate drops to 100 bpm immediately slowing to only 20 bpm during most of the dive so they use the stored oxygen in blood and muscles to the maximum effect. On returning to the surface again, the heart rate goes back to 200 bpm probably to pay back the "oxygen debt" they have incurred during the dive.

What is unusual about the Emperor Penguins breeding cycle?

Emperor penguins breed almost exclusively on sea ice and so are perhaps the only species of bird that never sets foot on land.

They begin their breeding cycle when other Antarctic penguins have finished theirs, at the end of April to May. Other smaller penguins at this time head north away from the encroaching winter while the Emperors head south into it. They seem to choose very dramatic sites, a large flat area where they can waddle when carrying their egg or chick on their feet surrounded by high ice cliffs or icebergs that help to give a little shelter from the winds.

Eggs are laid in May and June, they are the smallest egg relative to body size of any bird, being around 0.4kg (1.1lb) just under 1.5% of the mass of an adult bird.

At this point, the males take charge of the egg. No nest is built and the egg is incubated on the feet of the parents, a special fold of abdominal skin covers the egg to keep it warm. The mother penguins then set off back to sea and do not return for nearly four months.

The male Emperors with their valuable eggs sit huddled together on the ice throughout the dark weeks and months of the Antarctic night. The average temperature is around -20°C (-4°F) going down to -50°C (- 58°F) and with winds that gust up to 200km per hour (124mph). The males do not eat at all throughout this time, but just sit and wait and protect their egg, (later the chick) until their mate comes back to relieve them.

Very few people have seen an emperor penguin huddle in the winter in a savage place where ice and cold are king and the penguins spend their days in silence. The only events are changing position in the huddle (see below) and the immense spectacle of the ghostly red, violet and green of the southern lights or Aurora Australis playing in the dark skies above their heads.

Brooding young hatchlings

Returning from a fishing dive

Males can be sat incubating and waiting for over 120 days (average 115), during this time they will lose about 40% of their body weight. They use less energy when asleep which they do so as long as possible, it is not unusual for emperor penguins to sleep for 20 or more hours a day under these conditions - even up to 24 hours a day, to conserve their food supplies and increase their and their chick's chances of survival.

They survive by huddling together for warmth, very unusual behaviour for adults of other penguin species which are usually aggressively territorial. They also take it in turns to occupy the coldest most exposed outside positions. Without this huddling behaviour, they would unable to endure the combined conditions of fasting, bitter cold and hurricane force winds and would not be able to live and breed in the way they do. Even though they are close together during these huddles, they have been recently shown to be not quite touching. if they touched and squashed the puffed out feathers down it would reduce the insulating value and make them colder, so they really fine-tune the process.

It's not all altruistic behaviour though, and taking it in turns. The ones that have been on the outside on the windward side wander off to the leeward side when they've had enough so exposing the next "layer" of penguins. The whole huddle can wander over quite an area in this way in very cold and/or windy conditions.

How do the parents ensure that the chick survives when born on the open sea ice?

As the chicks grow older and get larger, they become able to regulate their own temperature in milder conditions, so they don't need the protection of the brood patch. They form creches and will huddle as the parents do if the weather worsens.

Eventually, the female returns across the sea ice. This usually coincides with the hatching of the chick. Sometimes the chick will hatch before the female returns, if this happens, it will be fed with a secretion of protein and fat produced by the male from its oesophagus a sort of penguin "milk".

The pair locate each other by calling repeatedly, eventually recognizing each others voice, and the male passes the chick over (sometimes reluctantly and after much persuasion) onto the feet of the female. A chick left alone on the ice at this time has a survival time of only around two minutes. The males are then able to go off to sea to feed and build up their strength and fitness again. This journey alone can take several days across the ice. Emperor penguins have been known to walk 280km to reach the sea.

At this point, the chick is reared in the conventional penguin manner, with the parents taking it in turns to feed and look after the chick until they are large enough to leave.

When they are older and larger, the chicks huddle together in creches for warmth and protection while both parents are able to go off to collect food at the same time to provide for the ever increasing needs of the growing chick.

Chick survival has a lot to do with how the ice breaks up and so how easy it is for parents to reach the sea. If the parents have to travel long distances, many chicks will die of starvation. If the ice edge remains close, then the parents will be able to provide more food and the chicks stand a better chance of survival.

The colonies begin to disperse as the sea ice begins to break up in December and January, the chicks are then able to fend for themselves leaving the adults to moult their feathers (a time when they need to stay out of the water) and so are not able to feed.

Why do emperor penguins breed in such severe conditions?

Despite the way it seems, this breeding strategy of the emperor penguin does make sense. Emperors are large birds, twice the weight of the next biggest penguin, the king, and so are able to survive the winter fast and the extreme cold temperatures endured at this time
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With this breeding strategy, the penguin chicks become independent during the height of the summer food supply and so are able to survive better.
The chicks are very large too compared to other penguin species, if they were reared in the summer, they would have to be left to fend for themselves at a time of the year when food supply is reducing. As the chicks food requirement is very high, this would cause major problems.

Emperor penguins are able to raise a chick each year by this strategy, though the rigorous conditions of life in the deep south mean that only 19% of chicks will survive their first year. King penguins on the other hand can expect an 80% first year survival rate, though their breeding strategy means that they rear 2 chicks every 3 years and the requirement for open water year-round restricts their range to sub-Antarctic islands.

Emperors are preyed upon by Killer Whales, Leopard Seals, and the Giant Petrel. The most dangerous predator is the Leopard Seal that can eat about 15 penguins a day though they usually only catch the weak or the very sick. Healthy penguins can usually out-swim a Leopard Seal.
Emperor penguin adaptations
There were estimated to be around 238,000 breeding pairs of emperor penguins in the world in 2009. Taking into consideration the non-breeder ratio as well this translates into about 595,000 adult birds. Emperor penguins reach breeding age at 4 years and can live to be 20.

Pictures used courtesy of Warner Brothers or NOAA

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Emperor penguins are one of the "classic" penguin species that people imagine when they hear the name. Along with King Penguins andAdelie penguins, they are representative of the whole group. Emperor Penguin Basics Average Weight: 30kg - 66lb Average Height: 115cm - 3.8ft Breeding Season: April - December - Emperors breed in the depth of the Antarctic winter.

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List of African Animals: Introduction

Africa is the world's second largest continent (Asia is the largest). With habitats ranging from tropical rainforest to desert, Africa is home to many of the world's best-known animals.

The African animals included in the list below represent just a fraction of the continent's amazing biodiversity. We'll be adding new species to this page regularly, so be sure to come back soon!

Animals That Live In Africa: Page Index

Scroll down to see all of the animals in alphabetical order, or select the species you'd like to see by clicking on its name in the list below. Many of the animals have links that you can click on for further information.
How many species on our list of animals that live in Africa have you heard of? What's your favorite African animal? Let us know in the comments at the bottom of the page!
See More African Animals

African Animals List

For individual species (i.e. aardvark), we've included the animal's scientific name and its IUCN conservation status (if assessed). For groups of species (i.e. antelopes) we've included the number of species in the group and the group's name.

Aardvark

The aardvark is a nocturnal mammal whose diet consists mainly of ants and termites. It uses its excellent sense of smell to find food, and its long, sticky tongue to capture its prey. The aardvark has thick skin to protect it from insect bites and stings.

The aardvark is an expert burrower. If threatened, it will retreat to the safety of its burrow. If no burrow is available, it will quickly dig a new one, reversing out backwards when the danger has passed.

The aardvark is the only member of the family Orycteropodidae, and the last remaining species of the order Tubulidentata.
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Aardwolf

Aardwolf means 'earth wolf' in Afrikaans, a language spoken in South Africa. Despite its name, the aardwolf is not a wolf or even a member of the dog family. In fact, it's one of the four living species of hyena, and a member of the hyena family Hyaenidae.

The aardwolf lives in scrubland (a habitat consisting of grass and small bushes) in eastern and southern Africa. It has a nocturnal lifestyle, sleeping in burrows during the day.

Unlike the other three hyenas, the aardwolf doesn't eat large vertebrates. Instead, the aardwolf's diet consists mainly of termites and other small insects.

The aardwolf uses its long, sticky tongue to capture its prey. It can eat up to 250,000 termites in one night!
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African Buffalo

The African buffalo is a large, powerfully-built hoofed animal. It belongs to the subfamily Bovinae, the members of which are known as bovids.

There are several subspecies of African buffalo. Each varies slightly in appearance and is found in a different region of Africa. The largest and best-known subspecies is the Cape buffalo, which is found in Southern Africa.

Both male and female African buffaloes have distinctive upward-curving horns, the tips of which can be over 1 m (3.3 ft.) apart in large males. The horns of full-grown adult males meet in the middle, creating a hard panel known as a 'boss'.

The horns are used as a means of defense against predators. Males also use their horns when fighting for dominance in the herd.

An adult African buffalo is large, powerful and well-armed; it has little to fear from most predators; only a very brave or hungry lion would attack a full-grown buffalo.

These large animals are known for their unpredictable behavior and will occasionally attack humans.
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African Bush Elephant

The African bush elephant is the largest land animal in the world. It stands up to 4 m (13.1 ft.) in height, and weighs up to 6,048 kg (13,334 lb.). Both male and female African bush elephants have tusks (only male Asian elephants have tusks).

Until recently, all elephants in Africa were considered to be the same species, the African elephant. Recent studies have shown that Africa's elephant population consists of two different species: the African bush elephant and the smaller African forest elephant.

The African bush elephant is herbivorous, eating a wide variety of plant matter. The species is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, but its population is becoming increasingly fragmented.
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Antelope

Number of species: 91

Family: Bovidae

Antelopes are a group of hooved mammals within the family Bovidae (the family also includes animals such as bison, buffaloes, sheep, goats and cattle).

All antelopes have horns (although in some species they are only present on males), and most live in herds. Living in herds helps to keep antelopes safe from predators. With all those eyes and ears looking and listening out for danger, predators find it hard to approach undetected.

There are 91 species of antelope, most of which are native to Africa. They live in a range of habitats, including forests and grasslands. Antelopes are herbivores (plant eaters), and many species live in large herds.

The largest antelope is the giant eland, a species found in the savannas of Central Africa. The smallest is the royal antelope, which is found in Western Africa. It is just 25 cm (9.8 in.) tall at the shoulder.
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Baboon

Baboons are monkeys in the genus (a group of related animals) Papio. They have long snouts and close-set eyes, giving their faces a dog-like appearance.

There are five species of baboon: the hamadryas baboon, Guinea baboon, olive baboon, yellow baboon, and chacma baboon. All five species are found in Africa.

Baboons live in groups called troops. Troops range in size from 5 to 250 individuals. Male baboons use noises and visual threats, such as the baring of their long, sharp canine teeth, to establish dominance within the troop.

The conservation status of four of the five species of baboon is 'Least Concern'. The Guinea baboon, the smallest of the baboons, is rated 'Near Threatened'.
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Bonobo

The bonobo is an endangered primate that lives in the rainforests of Central Africa. It is closely-related to the chimpanzee. It is thought that the two species split fewer than 1 million years ago.

Bonobos can be told apart from chimpanzees by their lighter build, smaller heads, pink lips and black faces.

Bonobos and chimpanzees are our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom. They share over 98% of our genes, and are more closely related to us than they are to gorillas.
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Boomslang

The boomslang is a highly venomous snake found in sub-Saharan Africa. Its name means 'tree snake' in Afrikaans (a language spoken in South Africa). This large snake is mainly arboreal (tree-dwelling).

Greatly feared by local people, the boomslang is capable of delivering a bite that is potentially fatal if not treated.

Like other members of the family Colubridae, to which it belongs, the boomslang's venom-delivering fangs are located at the back of its mouth. Snakes such as these are said to be 'rear-fanged'.
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Bushbaby

Bushbabies are nocturnal primates in the family Galagidae. Their huge eyes provide them with excellent night vision.

Number of species: 18

Family: Galagidae

These small, monkey-like animals are expert jumpers. While leaping through dense vegetation, bushbabies fold their bat-like ears back for protection.

Bushbabies are also known as Galagos or Nagapies (which means 'little night monkeys' in Afrikaans, a language spoken in South Africa). Their English name is thought to come either from their baby-like appearance, or from the wails they make at night.

Cheetah
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The cheetah is the world's fastest land animal. It uses its great speed to capture its prey, which consists of other fast-moving animals such as antelope and hares.

The cheetah's coat is pale brown / yellow and covered with distinctive black spots. The spots provide camouflage, breaking up the animal's outline against grasses and other foliage.

The cheetah is a member of the Felidae (cat) family. Although one of the larger cats, it is not considered to be a 'big cat' as it is neither a member of the subfamily Pantherinae, nor a member of the genus Panthera.

The cheetah's closet relatives are the cougar and the jaguarundi.

Click here to learn more awesome cheetah facts.

Crocodile
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Crocodiles are semi-aquatic, meat-eating reptiles in the subfamily Crocodylinae.

Number of crocodile species found in Africa: 4

Number of crocodile species worldwide: 15

Subfamily: Crocodylinae

These master ambush predators lie in wait in shallow water for their prey to approach. When the unsuspecting victim gets within range, the crocodile launches an explosive attack, capturing the prey in its immensely strong jaws.

There are four species of crocodile found in Africa: the slender-snouted crocodile, Nile crocodile, West African crocodile, and the dwarf crocodile.

The largest African crocodile is the Nile crocodile. It is the second-largest crocodile species: only Australia's saltwater crocodile is bigger! The Nile crocodile is one of Africa's most dangerous animals.

Desert Locust
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The desert locust is found in North Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia. Like all locusts it is a member of the grasshopper family Acrididae.

Most of the time the desert locust is solitary and flies at night. However, under certain conditions - usually an increase in rainfall after a period of drought - the insects begin congregating and multiplying rapidly, forming huge swarms that fly during the day.

Desert locust swarms can cover an area of 460 square miles (1,200 km2), and consist of up to 100 billion insects! These crop-destroying insect clouds can move at up to 124 miles (200 km) in a day.

It is said that a plague of locusts can affect the livelihood of one-tenth of all humans.

Driver Ant
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Driver ants live in huge colonies containing over 20 million insects. When food becomes short, driver ants march through the undergrowth in long lines consisting of many millions of insects, eating any insects (and occasionally larger animals) in their path.

Driver ants have a sting, but usually attack with their powerful jaws. Their bite is extremely painful. Local people are known to use the insects' jaws, which remain closed even if the ant's head is separated from its body, to close wounds.

Fennec Fox
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The fennec fox is the smallest member of the dog family. It is found in the Sahara Desert and other dry regions of Africa.

The large ears of the fennec fox are an adaptation for living in desert regions. They help the fox stay cool by transferring its body heat into the air.

The fennec fox has excellent hearing, and is even capable of hearing prey moving underground.

You can find out more about the fennec fox (and its adaptations for living in the desert) here: Fennec Fox Facts

Giraffe
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The giraffe is one of the most distinctive of all African animals. With its long neck and stilt-like legs, the giraffe is the world's tallest land animal.

The giraffe's great height allows it to feed on leaves that are beyond the reach of other animals.

There is some disagreement over the number of giraffe species. Some authorities, such as the International Union for Nature Conservation ( IUCN) recognize only one species. Others, such as the Catalogue of Life, recognize 4, and yet others recognize 8 species!

On the heads of both male and female giraffes are horn-like growths called ossicones.

The giraffe's closest living relative is the okapi, which you'll meet further down the page.

You can find out more about the tallest creature in the world here.

Gorilla
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Gorillas are the world's largest primates. (Primates is the group of animals that includes animals such as apes, monkeys, and lemurs).

Number of species: 2

Genus: Gorilla

Both the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla are Critically Endangered

Despite their fearsome looks, gorillas are mainly herbivorous.

Gorillas are members of the great ape family Hominidae. If you look in the mirror you'll see another member of this family!

There are two species of gorilla: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla. Both live in the forests of central Africa.

The eastern gorilla has two subspecies: the mountain gorilla and eastern lowland gorilla. The western gorilla also has two subspecies: the western lowland gorilla and Cross River gorilla.

Both species of gorilla are critically endangered. Sadly, poaching has been identified as the main cause behind the continued decline of both species.

Gorilla Charity: The Gorilla Organization.

Hippopotamus
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The word 'hippopotamus' is derived from ancient Greek for 'river horse'. It is a fitting name for this large animal, which has a semi-aquatic lifestyle.

Commonly known as 'hippos', these herbivorous animals spend most of the day bathing in water or mud, only emerging at dusk when the temperature is cooler.

A smaller hippo species, the pygmy hippo, lives in Africa's rainforests.

The hippos' closest relatives in the animal kingdom are the Cetaceans - the group of animals that includes whales and porpoises.

Hyena
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The family Hyaenidae contains four living species: the spotted hyena, brown hyena, striped hyena and the aardwolf.

Number of species: 4

Family: Hyaenidae

Hyenas may look like dogs, but in fact are more closely related to cats. The animal group Carnivora (to which both dogs and cats belong) has two branches. One contains animals such as dogs, bears, and seals; the other contains animals such as cats, mongooses and hyenas.

Although hyenas have a reputation for being scavengers it is only the striped hyena and the brown hyena that find most of their food this way. The spotted hyena (also known as the laughing hyena) actively hunts most of its own prey.

The aardwolf is the 'odd one out' among the hyenas. Instead of eating large vertebrates, it feeds on insects such as ants and termites. (The aardwolf appears near the top of this list of African animals.)

Jackal
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Jackal is a name given to three small to medium-sized canids (members of the dog family, Canidae), two of which are found in Africa.

Number of species: 3

Genus: Canis (although not all members of the genus are jackals)

Both the black-backed jackal and the closely-related side-striped jackal are found in sub-Saharan Africa.

(The golden jackal, which is more closely related to the grey wolf than it is to the other jackals, is found in Europe and Asia.)

Jackals are most active at dawn and dusk. They are omnivorous, hunting small animals, scavenging carrion and also eating plant matter.

The conservation status of all three jackal species is Least Concern.

Kori Bustard
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The kori bustard is Africa's largest flying bird, and the world's heaviest flying animal. It stands up to 1.2 m (3.94 ft.) tall, and has a wingspan of 275 cm (9 ft.). There is a large difference in size between male and female kori bustards, with males being up to three times the weight of females.

This giant African bird rarely takes to the air and is only occasionally seen in trees. It builds its nest on the ground.

The species is usually found in open grasslands in southern Africa.

Lappet-Faced Vulture
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With a wingspan of up to 2.9 m (9.5 ft.), the lappet-faced vulture is one of the largest vultures in Africa (the Cape vulture and the griffon vulture may be slightly heavier, but their wingspans are smaller).

The lappet-faced vulture is top of the pecking order around carrion. It uses its size and strength to see off smaller scavengers until it has eaten its fill.

In fact, the lappet-faced vulture is doing the other scavengers a favor; with its huge hooked bill it is able to tear open leathery hides that other species would not be able to break into.

Old World vultures such as the lappet-faced vulture find their food primarily by sight. They lack the New World vultures' excellent sense of smell.

Leopard
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The leopard is a fast, powerful big cat found in both Africa and Asia. Its coat is dotted with distinctive rings known as 'rosettes'. These provide camouflage in the grasslands and forests in which this adaptable species lives.

The leopard is known for its great strength, and is capable of dragging its prey up a tree. By doing this the leopard is able to prevent its meal from being stolen by lions and other predators.

Lion
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One of the most iconic African animals, the lion is a much feared predator that, like so many of Africa's large animals, is now threatened.

The total number of adult lions left in the wild is estimated to be between 23,000 and 39,000; that's around half the number of people who attend a single National Football League game.

The primary cause behind the lion's continued decline is persecution by livestock farmers who regard the animal as a threat to their livelihoods. Habitat loss has also played a major part in the species' decline.

The lion is the second largest member of the cat family Felidae (the largest being the tiger). It is found in a variety of habitats, including savanna, grassland, woodland and the edges of deserts.

Unlike most cats, the lion is a social animal, living in groups known as prides. A typical pride consists of several females and their young, with either one or a small number of males.

Lions tend to be inactive during the day, and can spend up to 20 hours of the day resting.

Mongoose
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Mongooses are small carnivorous mammals in the family Herpestridae. There are 34 species of mongoose, although only 29 of them have the word 'mongoose' in their names. Mongooses are found in Asia and southern Europe as well as in Africa.

One of the best-known species of mongoose is the meerkat, which lives in desert and other dry habitats in Africa.

Number of species: 34 (29 of which have the word 'mongoose' in their names).

Family: Herpestidae

Mongooses are diurnal (active during the day). They have a varied diet, which includes insects, earthworms, crabs, lizards and other small animals. Mongooses will also eat snakes, and are largely unaffected by snake venom.

Monkey
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Africa is home to many species of monkey. Well-known examples of African monkeys include: the black-and-white colobus monkey, mandrill, vervet monkey (pictured above) and the five species of baboon.

All monkeys found in Africa are in the family Cercopithecidae, a group of animals also known as the Old World Monkeys.

Number of species: There are around 153 species of Old World Monkey. Not all are found in Africa.

Family: Cercopithecidae (Old World Monkeys)

Old World monkeys are more closely related to apes than they are to the New World monkeys of the Americas.

Unlike New World Monkeys, Old World monkeys don't have prehensile tails to help them climb trees. (Prehensile means 'able to grab').

The world's largest monkey, the mandrill, is found in the rainforests of Central Africa.

Mosquito
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Despite their small size, mosquitoes are among the most dangerous African animals. Mosquitoes feed on the blood of a variety of animals, including humans. Although only a small amount of blood is taken at a time, the insect spreads deadly diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever.

Mosquitoes use their highly-adapted mouthparts to pierce their victim's skin and draw up the blood. Chemicals in their saliva prevent the blood from clotting while the mosquito is feeding.

Mosquitoes are responsible for more human fatalities each year than any other animal.

Number of species: around 3,500 (not all found in Africa)

Family: Culicidae

Nile Monitor

The Nile monitor is one of Africa's biggest lizards, growing to lengths of well over 2 meters (6.56 ft.). It is widespread across much of sub-Saharan Africa, and is also found along the Nile River in North Africa.

This African reptile is often found by rivers. It is a capable swimmer, propelling itself through the water with its tail, crocodile fashion. Its nostrils are located high up on its snout, enabling it to breathe while in the water.
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Okapi

This shy, rarely-seen African animal lives in the forests of Central Africa. Although it has zebra-like stripes, its closest relative is the giraffe. The okapi's markings break up its outline and provide camouflage in the forest environment.

The horn-like projections on the head of a male okapi are called ossicones. (Both male and female giraffes have ossicones.)
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The okapi is an endangered species, mainly due to the loss of its natural forest habitat.

Ostrich (Common)

The common ostrich is one of two ostrich species, both of which are found in Africa.

(The other ostrich species is the Somali ostrich. It was judged to be sufficiently different to the common ostrich to be declared a separate species in 2014.)
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The common ostrich may not be able to fly, but it is a true record breaker. Not only is it the world's largest bird, but it is also the fastest (on land) and the layer of the biggest eggs!

The common ostrich eats grasses, flowers, seeds and other plant matter. In addition, it will also occasionally eat Insects.

The ostrich swallows small stones to help it digest its food.

The main predator of the common ostrich is the cheetah; one of the few animals able to catch this fast-moving bird.

Pangolin

There are 8 species of pangolin, 4 of which are found in Africa. The four African pangolins are the tree pangolin, long-tailed pangolin, giant pangolin and ground pangolin. The conservation status of all four African pangolins is Vulnerable.
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Pangolins have armored coats made of hardened scales. The scales are made of keratin; the same material out of which our fingernails are made. A pangolin's scales make up around 20% of its body weight.

If threatened, a pangolin will roll up into an armored ball. As an additional protection against predators, pangolins are able to emit an unpleasant smelling chemical.

Number of species: 8 (4 are found in Africa)

Family: Manidae

Pangolins are nocturnal and insectivorous (insect-eating). Their diet consists mainly of ants and termites, which they capture with their long, thin tongues.

Puff Adder

The puff adder is a medium-sized venomous African snake. One of the most common snakes in Africa, the species is present throughout the continent except in rainforests and desert regions. It is most common in savannas and grasslands.

Due to its abundance, the puff adder is responsible for the most snake bite fatalities in Africa. Its venom is highly potent and the species is known to be aggressive. It is a nocturnal ambush hunter that waits for its victims to draw near before striking.
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Rhinoceros

Rhinoceroses, or rhinos, are among the world's largest land animals. The name rhinoceros comes from the Greek for 'nose horn'.
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There are five species of rhino, two of which live in Africa: the white rhinoceros and the black rhinoceros.

Both African species have two horns on their noses. The species' prominent nose horns, and their large size ensure that they are among the best-known of all African animals.

Number of species: 5 (2 species found in Africa)

Family: Rhinocerotidae

The white rhinoceros is the largest of all the rhinos, with males (the larger of the two sexes) weighing around 2400 kg (5,000 lb.). The black rhino is by no means a small animal, with males reaching weights of around 1400 kg (3,090 lb.).

Despite their names, both the white and black rhino are grey. The best way of telling them apart is by looking at their lips: the white rhino has square lips; the lips of the black rhino are beak-shaped.

Rhinos are herbivores. Their diet consists mainly of grass.

The conservation status of the white rhinoceros is Near Threatened.

The black rhinoceros is Critically Endangered, with a wild population of around 5,000.

The biggest threat to both species is poaching. Rhino horns can be ground down for use in traditional Chinese medicine, and are also used to make ornaments. Rhino horns are quite literally worth their weight in gold.

Royal Goliath Beetle

Goliath beetles are the world's biggest insects, in both their larval and adult form. The five species of Goliath beetle live in Africa's tropical forests.
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The royal Goliath beetle is one of the largest Goliath beetles, reaching a length of up to 11 cm (4.3 in) and a weight of 60 g (2.1 oz.) in its adult form.

Goliath beetles are herbivorous. As larvae they feed on rotting wood, whereas as adults they feed on tree sap and fruit.

Scientific Name: Goliathus regius

Conservation Status: Currently Unassessed

Secretary Bird

The secretary bird is a large and distinctive bird of prey found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is known for its ability to hunt venomous snakes, but will also eat a wide variety of other animals.

The long-legged predator spends most of its time on the ground and rarely flies. Instead, it uses its long wings to keep balance when running, and also to hunt its snake prey; by holding out its wings, the secretary bird confuses the snake into not striking.
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Serval

The serval is a medium-sized wild cat found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. It stands up to 2 ft. (62 cm) tall at the shoulder and has gold fur with dark markings.

The legs of the serval are the longest in relation to body size of any cat. It has big ears and a sense of hearing to match; it locates its prey by sound.
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The serval mainly preys on rodents, but will also take other small animals such as birds and reptiles. It is active both by day and by night.

The species is usually found in savannas.

Warthog (Common)

The common warthog is one of two living warthog species, both of which are found in Africa. (The other warthog species is the desert warthog.)

Warthogs are members of the pig family, Suidae. The name 'warthog' refers to the fleshy bumps on the faces of both species.
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The common warthog is widespread throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. It lives in grassland, savanna and woodland habitats.

The warthog's tusks are used for fighting with other warthogs and as a means of as defense against predators. Both pairs of tusks are extended teeth which protrude through the animal's mouth. The upper tusks are canine teeth which grow from the upper jaw before turning upwards.

Wildebeest

Wildebeest are antelopes with upwardly-curving horns, long faces, shaggy manes and long tails. They are also known as gnus.

There are two species of wildebeest: the blue wildebeest and the black wildebeest.
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The black wildebeest is found mainly in South Africa and neighboring countries. The blue wildebeest has a larger range, being found in across several countries in southern and south-central Africa.

The blue wildebeest is larger than the black wildebeest. It is grey with darker stripes on its neck and shoulders. The black wildebeest is dark brown or black.

Over 1.7 million blue wildebeest take part in the Great Migration of Serengeti and Masai Mara. This annual circular migration, which is also undertaken by hundreds of thousands of gazelles and zebras, is one of the world's most impressive natural spectacles.

Zebra

Nearly everyone in the world can identify a zebra, but far fewer people know that there are actually three different species of zebra: the plains zebra, mountain zebra and Grévy's zebra.
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All three zebra species are in the genus Equus. That's the same group in which the horse and the donkey are found. (The group also includes two lesser-known species: the African wild ass and the kiang, an ass found in Asia.)

Many theories have been put forward to explain the purpose of the zebra's stripes. Possible explanations include: camouflage, heat dispersal, creation of an optical illusion to fool predators, and to make the zebra less attractive to biting flies (experiments in which horses were painted with stripes back up this last theory).

Number of species: 3

Genus: Equus (also in this genus are the wild horse, the donkey, and two species of wild ass)

The plains zebra is the most common and widespread zebra. It is found in several parts of south-central and southern Africa. The conservation status of the species is Near Threatened due to over-hunting and the fencing off of traditional grazing routes.

The mountain zebra is found in hot, rocky, mountainous or hilly regions of south west Africa. There are no stripes on the undersides of this species. The mountain zebra's IUCN conservation status is Vulnerable.

Grévy's zebra is not just the largest species of zebra, it's also the world's largest wild horse. The species is found in eastern Central Africa. The conservation status for Grévy's zebra is Endangered. Fewer than 2,000 adult individuals exist in the wild, although the population is now stable.

African Animals List: Conclusion & Related Pages

We hope that you have enjoyed this list of African animals, and have clicked on some of the pictures for more information on your favorite species!

What's your favorite African animal? Are there any we've missed? Let us know in the comments below!
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Become an animal expert! Find out more about the animal kingdom by visiting this page: Animals: The Ultimate Guide.

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African Animals List With Pictures, Facts, Information & Worksheet

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Africa is the world's second largest continent (Asia is the largest). With habitats ranging from tropical rainforest to desert, Africa is home to many of the world's best-known animals. The African animals included in the list below represent just a fraction of the continent's amazing biodiversity.

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Free app for kids | Find Them All: looking for animals

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10. Giant Galapagos Tortoise

The Giant Galapagos Tortoise, also known as the giant tortoise, and is one of the largest living species found in the Galapagos Islands. Their weight can reach up to 500 pounds and they can grow to a staggering height of five feet. The tortoises found in the humid highlands tend to be larger in size, and have domed shells and short necks. On the other hand, in the dry lowlands, they are smaller in size, have saddle-backed shell shapes, and have longer necks. The tortoises with saddle-backs are mostly found in the dry islands, where it is hot and sparse kinds of vegetation lived, whereas the Domed-shelled tortoises are said to be found in the areas with lush green vegetation and cooler places. They are mostly seen soaking themselves in the sun to receive warmth, and when the temperature goes down they are found to be sleeping in mud or water to keep them insulated.

9. Anaconda

The Anaconda is found in the tropical areas of South America, and is said to be the second longest snake in the world by length and the largest in the world by weight. These snakes' lengths reach, on average, up to 3 to 4.5 meters, though can reach much longer spans. They belong to the Boa family, and are said to be heavy in body structure. Anacondas belong to the super-order of " Squamata ". They are green in color with black blotches that cover their lengths. Their heads are narrow in shape, and their eyes are set high upon their heads. The Anaconda is a nocturnal reptile, as they are mostly found at night. Given that they are not venomous, their prey is killed mainly by way of constriction.

8. Capybara

The Capybara is the largest rodent in the word, and is found in the areas of savannas and dense forests of South America. The animal has a heavy and barrel-shaped body, with their fur is a reddish brown color. Their underside is yellow-brown in color. Their length is around 4 feet, and they have 62 centimeter long tails, and a body weight of 66 kilograms. Other features of the capybara body are webbed feet, longer hind legs, three toes on the rear and four on the front feet, and vestigial tails. They have a dominant male in each group who possess a distinct scent, and communication is done through purrs and whistles. They generally nap throughout the day and graze throughout the night.

7. Southern Right Whale

This marine mammal is mostly seen in Antarctica, but for breeding it will visit the coasts of Brazil, Chile, and Argentina, as well as South Africa. The Southern Right whale is usually seen with callosities on the head, a broad back area, no dorsal fin, dark grey or black skin, and an arch-shaped mouth beginning above the eye. They get attracted towards human populations and are active in the water, and return to their birthplaces after every 3 years.

6. Piranha

The Piranha is an omnivorous fish found in the fresh waters of South American rivers. Specifically, they are found in the Amazon Basin and the Orinoco River. Their lengths can range from 26 to 43 centimeters. They have sharp teeth which are found in both jaws. These tightly packed teeth form one of the strongest bites in the animal kingdom. However, despite popular belief, piranhas are actually quite shy and not typically very aggressive towards humans.

5. Andean Condor

The Andean Condor is found in the Andes Mountain, and is said to be the largest flying bird found in South America. The areas these birds inhabit are found in Venezuela, Peru, and Chile. The Andean condor is mostly found in the areas at an altitude of around 5,000 meters with open grasslands. Their weight is said to be around 15 kilograms, with a body length of 4 feet and a wingspan of around 10 feet. The Andean Condor is known to take long flights. Uniquely no flapping of the wings is done in higher altitudes where gliding is possible. The Andean condor communicates through pecking and varied vocalizations.

4. Llama

Llamas are found in the wild in the Andes Mountain range, as well as in the form of domesticated livestock in many areas of the Americas, Australia, and Europe. They live in higher altitude areas in the wild, and are found in abundance in Bolivia. Their height is around 5.9 feet to their head tops, and their weight can reach 200 kilograms. They are intelligent and they learn quickly, and are curious, socialized, and use humming as a communication form.

3. Caiman

Caimans mostly inhabitant the areas of Central and Southern America. They are part of the Alligatoridae family. Some of them are seen in Brazil and Mexico, where they live along the river edges. They average around 3 feet long, and the largest of them is the Black Caiman. Their features are ventral armor with bony scutes, slender teeth, and a bony septum. They remain alert while hunting, and radar is used to locate water so that they can find the basins if any case presents wherein their current basins dry up.

2. Tapir

South American Tapirs are mostly found in the forest regions of Central and Southern America, especially in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Related species are also found in some Asian countries. They average around 6 feet long, 3 feet high, and their weight is around 300 kilograms. The coat is generally black or grey, and they possess stubby tails, hoofed toes, and white-tipped ears. They spend most of the time underwater, usually cooling themselves off and swimming. They seem to enjoy sinking to the bottom bottom of the water and remaining submerged for a time.

1. Coatimundi

The Coatimundi (or Coati) is related to the raccoon family, and is mostly found in South and North America, especially in Mexico and Peru. They are usually 127 centimeters in length, and they weigh around 11 kilograms. The color of their body is reddish or yellow-brown, and in some cases it is found to be black. A social creature, it lives in large groups. However, males join the females only during the breeding season, and communicate through grunting or snorting.

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The Giant Galapagos Tortoise, also known as the giant tortoise, and is one of the largest living species found in the Galapagos Islands. Their weight can reach up to 500 pounds and they can grow to a staggering height of five feet.

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1.) Chipmunks

You might mistake these tiny creatures for a baby squirrel. That could be because they belong in the squirrel family. Much like the squirrel, they also love nuts, and burrowing is a common habit they have acquired. You can watch chipmunks play in the spring, summer, and fall, but in the winter, they enter their hibernation process.

Chipmunk Characteristics: Chipmunks average in size from 2 to 6-inches in length with a 3-inch tail. They usually weigh less than 1-pound. They are usually brown and yellow with grey fur sporting a black and white stripe down their back.

Where Chipmunks Hibernate: You will find the chipmunks digging a burrow as far as 3-feet under the ground usually directly under or next to a cover to stay protected from their predators. During their active daytime periods, later in the summer and early fall, you will often enjoy watching them as they nestle their nuts between their cheeks taking them to their burrows to save for their winter hibernation.

During the Hibernation Period: During the winter, the chipmunk's body temperature will drop drastically. They will sleep heavily waking occasionally for food, and not be seen again until springtime when they will play. During the late summer, they will work hard once again, collecting food to prepare for the next winter.

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15 Animals that Hibernate During the Winter

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Animals that Hibernate When you think of an animal hibernating you probably think about a bear, but did you know that other animals hibernate too? An animal will hibernate when the food supply runs low and the temperatures drop, causing it to be too cold to wander about.

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Discover the amazing wildlife of Australia; this Australian animals list has pictures and facts on Australia's most famous animals (and many of its lesser-known species). Click on the photos or follow the links to find further information on key species. Download the free question sheet and become an Australian animal expert!
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Free Australian Animals Worksheet

You can view and download a FREE Australian animals question sheet for this page here: Australian Animals Worksheet. (No sign-up is required; simply download the pdf file and get started.)

List Of Australian Animals - Introduction

Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by area and is famous for its spectacular landscapes and diverse wildlife.

With habitats ranging from desert to coral reef, via tropical and temperate rainforests, rivers and grasslands, Australia is home to many of the world's most recognisable animals, including kangaroos, koalas, emus, platypuses, wombats and goannas.

Australia is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and its isolated position means that its wildlife has evolved without outside interference.

Many Australian animals are ' endemic ' to the country. This means that they are only found in Australia, and nowhere else on Earth.

Marsupials

Many of Australia's best-known animals are marsupials. Although marsupials are also present in the Americas, around 70% of the world's marsupial species are found on the Australian continent (which includes mainland Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea).

Marsupials are mammals whose young are born at an early stage of development. After being born, the tiny infant marsupial crawls into a special pouch in its mother's body. Here it feeds on its mother's milk and continues to develop in safety until ready to emerge.

Animals such as kangaroos, possums, koalas and bandicoots are marsupials. You'll meet all of these - and more - in the list below!

Australian Animals List with Pictures & Facts

Scroll down to see all of the animals in alphabetical order, or use the index below to find a specific species:

Australian Magpie

The Australian magpie is one of the most familiar Australian birds. This common species is found in habitats ranging from urban areas to forests, and is present across most of the country, only missing in some desert regions.

The Australian magpie has black and white plumage and orange-brown eyes. It is a similar size to the Eurasian magpie, but unlike that species is not a member of the crow family, Corvidae. Instead, it is a member of the family Artamidae, which also includes the butcherbirds.

The Australian magpie is famous for its warbling call.
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Australian Sea Lion

The Australian sea lion is a member of a group of animals known as the pinnipeds, which contains the seals, sea lions and walrus. The Australian sea lion is the only pinniped endemic to (only found in) Australia. The species is present along the southern and southwestern coastlines of the country.

This aquatic mammal feeds mainly on fish and molluscs such as squid and cuttlefish. It is also known to eat penguins.

The Australian sea lion was once heavily hunted. Although it is now protected, the population has not fully recovered.

Today the species' primary threats are commercial fishing (although not targeted by the fishermen, the Australian sea lion often becomes entangled in gillnets) and habitat degradation.
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Bandicoot

Number of species: around 20

Type of animal: Mammal, member of the marsupial order Peramelemorphia (bandicoots and bilbies)

Bandicoots are a group of around 20 omnivorous, ground-dwelling marsupials found in Australia and New Guinea. They are rat-like animals with hunched backs, thin tapered noses and relatively long legs. Most are rabbit-sized. The largest bandicoot found in Australia is the northern brown bandicoot.

Bandicoots are found throughout Australia. They live in a variety of habitats, ranging from gardens to rainforests.

Bandicoots forage using their sensitive noses to detect food such as insects and earthworms buried in the ground, which they excavate with their forepaws. The holes that they leave in the ground are known as 'snout-pokes'.
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Barramundi

The barramundi is a fish found on the tropical coastline of northern Australia. It has large silver scales and a humped back, and grows up to around 1.6 m (5.3 ft.) in length.

The barramundi is found in both freshwater and marine habitats. It lives in rivers and travels downriver to breed in estuaries and coastal wetlands. Some populations spend all of their lives in marine environments.

Barramundi begin their lives as males, but most become female after one or more spawning seasons.
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Bilby (Greater)

Since the lesser bilby became extinct in the 1950's, the greater bilby is the only surviving bilby. (For this reason the greater bilby is often known simply as the 'bilby'.)

Once present throughout southern Australia, the greater bilby is now only found in desert regions in central Australia.

Unlike other bandicoots, the bilby is a burrowing animal. It is equipped with powerful forelimbs and robust claws. The female's pouch is rear-opening to prevent earth from entering while burrowing. The species' long ears give it the alternative name of 'rabbit-eared bandicoot'.

The bilby uses its long tongue to forage for seeds, insects and bulbs.
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Black Swan

The black swan is a large waterbird found in wetlands throughout Australia. The species is an emblem of Western Australia, and appears on the state's flag and coat of arms.

This distinctive Australian bird has black plumage and a bright red bill with a pale tip. When it is flying or has its wings raised in an aggressive display its white flight feathers can be seen.

The black swan is mainly herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants and algae. It uses its long neck to reach food, 'up-ending' with its head and shoulders submerged when necessary.

Bowerbirds
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Bowerbirds are a family of birds found in Australia and New Guinea. Of the 20 species of bowerbird, 10 are found in Australia. Most live in rainforests and other forest habitats.

Type of animal: Birds, family Ptilonorhynchidae

Number of species: 20

Number of species found in Australia: 20

Bowerbirds are famous for their courtship ritual. This involves the male building an elaborate structure known as a bower on the forest floor. The bower is made out of sticks, and decorated with flowers, vegetation, and brightly-coloured objects, including man-made items.

Females usually mate with the male who has built the most impressive bower. The bower is built purely for courtship, and is not used as a nest.

One of the best-known Australian bowerbirds is the satin bowerbird, a species found in the coastal forests of eastern Australia. The male has glossy blue-black plumage, the female is olive-brown. Both have bright blue eyes.

Brolga
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The brolga is a member of the crane family found in Australia and New Guinea. It was formerly known as the 'native companion'. In Australia, it is found in wetlands and wet grasslands in the north, east and south-east of the country. The species is also found in New Guinea.

Like all cranes, the brolga is a large, tall bird with long, thin legs and a long neck. Its plumage is grey and there is a red patch on the back of the head.

Although the species' conservation status is 'Least Concern', it is thought that its numbers are declining, mainly as a result of habitat loss.

Budgerigar
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The budgerigar is a small member of the true parrot superfamily, Psittacoidea. It is found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, farmland and urban gardens, and is present throughout much of Australia. The species has also been introduced to the United States.

The budgie is nomadic, moving from area to area in search of water and the seeds on which it feeds.

The budgie is the world's third most popular pet. In the wild its plumage is predominantly yellow and green, but captive birds have been selectively bred in a number of colour variations, including blue, grey and all yellow.

Cairns Birdwing Butterfly
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With a wingspan of up to 15 cm (5.9 in), the Cairns birdwing is one of the largest butterflies found in Australia. The species is endemic to Australia. It lives in the tropical rainforests of northeast Queensland.

Male Cairns birdwing butterflies are smaller than the females, but considerably more brightly-coloured. Their wings are a striking mix of black, yellow and green, while those of the females are mainly black with yellow patterning.

The species takes its name from Cairns, a coastal city in Queensland which is at the centre of the insect's range.

Camel (Feral)

There are around 300,000 feral camels living in Australia. Most are the dromedaries, but a number of feral Bactrian camels are also present. These large, hooved mammals were introduced during the 19th century, when they were used as transport.
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The feral camel population of Australia was once as large as 600,000 individuals. Due to the damage this introduced species was causing to indigenous wildlife, measures were taken between 2009 and 2013 to reduce the population to its current size.

Cane Toad

Many Australians would rather the cane toad was not on a list of Australian animals! The amphibian is an invasive species in Australia and has spread rapidly across the country since its introduction in the 1940s.
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The insect-eating frog was brought to Australia from its native South America in order to reduce the population of crop-destroying grey-backed cane beetles.

Unfortunately, the cane toad bred rapidly and quickly spread across north-eastern Australia. The species' introduction has been catastrophic to many native Australian species, who fall ill after eating the poisonous toad.

Cassowary
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Cassowaries are large, flightless birds found in Australia and New Guinea. There are three species of cassowary; only the Southern Cassowary (scientific name Casuarius casuarius) is found in Australia (the species is also found in New Guinea).

The southern cassowary inhabits the rainforests of north-eastern Australia. It is the world's second-heaviest bird, and the third-tallest.

Genus: Casuarius

Number of species: 3

Number of species found in Australia: 1 (The southern cassowary)

Type of animal: Bird, member of the family Casuariidae (which also includes the emu)

The species is mainly black, with a blue neck and red collar. Its wattles (the fleshy growths that hang from the bird's neck) are red. On the cassowary's head is a bony, pointed, helmet-like structure known as a casque.

Cassowaries are fast runners. Their feet are equipped with dagger-like inner claws which may be used as weapons if the bird feels threatened.

The conservation status of the southern cassowary is Least Concern.

Common Stingaree

The common stingaree is a stingray found in the coastal waters of south-eastern Australia. It is the commonest ray found in this region.
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Like all stingrays, the common stingaree has a round, flat body and long tail. It propels itself through the water with wave-like undulations of its wings. Its tail is equipped with either one or two venomous spines.

The species lives on sandbanks and mudflats, often lying partly buried on the sea bed. Although the fish will usually flee from bathers, if surprised it will lash out with its spines, and is capable of inflicting nasty injuries.

Crocodiles
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There are two species of crocodile found in Australia: the freshwater crocodile and the larger saltwater crocodile.

The freshwater crocodile is a relatively small crocodile. It is endemic to Australia and is found in rivers and wetlands in the north of the country.

Type of animal: Reptile, member of the subfamily Crocodylinae (the true crocodiles)

Number of species found in Australia: 2 (the saltwater crocodile and the freshwater crocodile)

Conservation status (both species): Least Concern

The saltwater crocodile is the largest reptile not only in Australia but also the world. In fact, this cold-blooded giant is the world's largest land predator. It is found on and near the coast in northern Australia, as well as in New Guinea and several Southeast Asian countries.

Both Australian crocodiles have armour-plated skin and strong jaws full of sharp teeth. Crocodiles are ambush predators, which means that they lie in wait for their prey to draw near before attacking with explosive speed and power.

The freshwater crocodile will usually only attack a human if threatened. It is capable of delivering a powerful bite.

The saltwater crocodile, due to its size, power and ferocity, is an extremely dangerous animal and areas in which it is found are best avoided.

Dingo

The dingo is a large wild dog with sandy-gold fur. It lives in desert, grassland and forest habitats.
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Most zoologists consider the dingo to be a subspecies of grey wolf, giving it the scientific name Canis lupus dingo. Others consider the dingo to be a separate species in its own right, giving it the scientific name Canis dingo.

The dingo's closest relative is the New Guinea singing dog, a wild dog found on New Guinea.

Dingoes live and hunt in packs. Using teamwork they are able to bring down animals as large as the red kangaroo.

Dugong

You can find out more about this species here: Dingo Facts

The dugong is a marine mammal which, together with the three species of manatee, is a member of the order Sirenia. It is a large, round-bodied animal. Its unique, broad, downwards-pointing snout is an adaptation for feeding on seagrass.
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Dugongs can live for up to 70 years, and in the past have been hunted for meat and oil. Today the main threats to the species are entanglement in gillnets, hunting, and boat strikes.

Eastern Brown Snake
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Both of the world's two most venomous snakes - the eastern brown snake and the inland taipan - are found in Australia.

Although the venom of the eastern brown snake is less powerful than that of the inland taipan, the species is considered more dangerous, as it is found near human habitations and has an aggressive temperament. It is responsible for more fatalities per year in Australia than any other snake.

The eastern brown snake grows to lengths of up 2 m (7 ft.). It is a relatively thin snake that ranges in colour from pale to dark brown. It is found in a variety of habitats across eastern Australia.

Eastern Long-Necked Turtle

The eastern long-necked turtle is found in rivers and wetlands in south eastern Australia. It has a round, plate-sized carapace (shell) which is black or brown with black grooves. The species' neck is over half of the length of its shell.

Eastern long-neck turtles are members of the suborder Pleurodira, one of two turtle suborders (the other being the Cryptodira). Members of this suborder withdraw their heads into their shells with a sideways, rather than a straight, motion.
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Echidna (Short Beaked)

Echidnas are members of a unique group of mammals known as monotremes. Unlike every other type of mammal the five species that make up the order Monotremata lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young. The monotremes comprise four species of echidna and the platypus.

The short-beaked echidna is the only echidna found in Australia. It is present throughout much of the country, and is also found in New Guinea.
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The short-beaked echidna is a small to medium-sized animal, usually between 30 and 45 cm in length. Its most distinctive characteristic is its coat of hard spines. It is equipped with powerful forelimbs and clawed feet, and is capable of burrowing at high speeds.

Echidnas are also known as 'spiny anteaters', but - although their diet consists of ants and termites - they are not related to the anteaters of the Americas.

Emu
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The emu is a large flightless bird endemic to Australia. With an average weight of 33 kg (73 lb), it is the world's 5 th largest bird, and the second-largest in Australia, after the southern cassowary.

Although second to the southern cassowary in weight, the emu can reach a height of 1.9 metres (6.2 ft.), making it Australia's tallest bird.

The emu's plumage is light brown, and its sparsely-feathered neck is pale blue.

The flightless emu evades potential predators using its acute eyesight and hearing, and if necessary its high speed: it is capable of running at up to 48 km/h (30 mph). If cornered it can defend itself with its sharp claws and powerful legs.

Fairy Penguin

The little penguin, commonly known as the fairy penguin in Australia, is the smallest species of penguin, standing at around 33 cm (13 in) tall and weighing around 1.5 kg (3.3 lb).

This small seabird is found along the south coast of Australia, both on the mainland and on coastal islands. The species is also found in New Zealand.

The dark sections of the little penguin's plumage are blue-grey in colour, giving the species the name 'little blue penguin' in New Zealand.
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Like all penguins the little penguin is flightless, its wings having adapted into flippers that allow it to 'fly' through the water. The little penguin spends around 80% of its life at sea, where it forages for fish and squid.

Flatback Sea Turtle

The flatback sea turtle is found in the coastal waters of northern Australia and New Guinea, but only nests on the islands and beaches of northern Australia.

This large marine reptile is the least migratory of the seven species of sea turtle. It can be distinguished from other sea turtles by its comparatively flat shell.
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Frill-Necked Lizard

The frill-necked lizard is a large lizard found across northern Australia. The species is arboreal (tree-dwelling) and usually found in the canopy layer of forests and woodlands. Its average length is 85 cm (2.79 ft.).

The frill-necked lizard gets its name from the large ruff of brightly-coloured skin around its neck. The ruff is connected to the lizard's jaw bone. When threatened, the lizard opens the ruff out like an umbrella. This impressive display is intended to startle a potential predator, giving the lizard a chance to escape.
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Galah

The galah is a highly-social parrot with a widespread distribution across Australia. It occupies a diverse range of habitats, including woodlands, shrublands, meadows and urban areas.
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The species forms large, noisy flocks that forage on the ground, feeding on the seeds of grasses, herbs and crops.

A member of the cockatoo family Cacatuidae, the galah is easily identified by the vibrant pink-coloured feathers on its head, neck, and underparts, and by the paler pink crest that can either be held erect or laid back. The wings, back, and tail are grey.

Although males and females look very similar, they can be distinguished by the colour of their irises: red or mid-brown for females and dark brown for males.

Giant Burrowing Cockroach

The giant burrowing cockroach is the heaviest cockroach in the world, weighing up to 35 g and reaching a length of up to 8 cm. It has a lifespan of up to 10 years.

The giant burrowing cockroach doesn't have wings, and spends much of its life underground in burrows that can be up to 1m deep. The species emerges from its burrow at night to feed.

Unlike most insects, the giant burrowing cockroach gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs. The species is ovoviviparous, with the eggs hatching inside the mother's body prior to being born.

Females give birth in underground chambers and care for their young for up to six months, at which point the young leave the chamber to fend for themselves.
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The giant burrowing cockroach is mostly found in the tropical regions of Queensland, and prefers areas with sandy soil. Unlike other cockroaches, it is not considered a pest. The species plays an essential role in the ecosystem by consuming dead leaves and recycling matter.

Giant Clam

Tridacna gigas, one of several species known as 'giant clams', is the world's largest bivalve mollusc. The species reaches lengths of up to 1.5 m and can exceed 500 lbs in weight. It is found in the warm waters of the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.

The giant clam's mantle is generally yellow or green with blue or purple spots. The clam's stunning colours are a result of algae that live within the mollusc's tissue.
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The clam and its resident algae have a symbiotic relationship (a relationship between species that is mutually beneficial). The clam receives nutrients produced by the algae as a result of photosynthesis. In return, the algae receives carbon dioxide, phosphates, nitrates, and a place to live.

The giant clam's 'Vulnerable' conservation status is a result of its having been over-harvested for food and the aquarium trade.

Goanna

Goannas are lizards in the genus Varanus (a group known as the monitor lizards). There are 25 goanna species found in Australia, and a further 5 species found in Southeast Asia.

The perentie ( Varanus giganteus), which grows up to 2.5 m (8 ft. 2 in) in length, is Australia's largest lizard, and the fourth-largest lizard in the world. Australia's smallest goanna is the short-tailed monitor.

Goannas are carnivores, equipped with sharp teeth and claws. Their diet consists of a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate species, including insects, spiders, snakes, birds, marsupials and rodents.

Goannas aren't fussy eaters; in general the larger the goanna, the larger the prey animal it will consume. Goannas will also scavenge on carrion.
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Goliath Stick Insect

Type of animal: Reptile, lizards in the genus Varanus (the monitor lizards)

Number of species found in Australia: 25

The Goliath stick insect is found along the Australian east coast and southern Queensland. Despite being one of the largest insects in Australia, its camouflage and stick-like body make it tricky to find.

Female Goliath stick insects are much larger than males, reaching up to 25 cm in length.

Like many stick insects, the goliath stick insect is capable of parthenogenesis, a form of reproduction that does not require mating.

Despite having wings, females are unable to fly due to the size of their bodies. The smaller, thinner males are capable of flight.
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Great White Shark

One of the most feared of all ocean predators, the great white shark can grow to over 6 metres (19.7 ft.) in length. It is found in oceans all around the world, including those around Australia.

This big fish preys on a variety of animals, with juveniles more likely to target fish, and adults more likely to target marine mammals such as seals, dolphins and other cetaceans. The great white is also known to attack humans.

The great white shark uses a 'sixth sense' when hunting. Organs known as ampullae of Lorenzini in the shark's head act as electroreceptors, allowing the shark to sense the electrical fields produced in the muscles of other sea animals.

Hercules Moth
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The Hercules moth is Australia's largest moth and one of the three largest moths in the world. The species, which is found on New Guinea as well as in tropical Queensland, has a wingspan of up to 27 cm (10.63 in.). The surface area of this huge insect's wings is the largest of any insect.

The Hercules moth has large, brown wings with transparent windows and white edges. The female's wings are so large that it can often be mistaken for a bird. The male is smaller than the female and more vibrantly-coloured. Its wings have elongated tails.

In its imago stage (the winged, adult stage), the Hercules moth does not eat, and lives for only 2 to 8 days. Adult females emit pheromones which can be detected by males up to 3 km away. After mating, a female lays 80 to 100 eggs on the leaves of rainforest plants and dies shortly after.

Inland Taipan
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The inland taipan is the world's most venomous snake. The potency of its venom is a result of the species having evolved specifically as a hunter of mammals. Just one bite is thought to contain enough venom to kill 100 men.

Despite its formidable bite, the inland taipan is responsible for relatively few attacks on humans. Unlike the closely related coastal taipan (one of the world's most dangerous snakes), the species has a placid nature and lives in uninhabited areas.

Kangaroo
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No list of Australian animals would be complete without the kangaroo! There are over 30 million of these familiar marsupials living in Australia.

The family Macropodidae comprises the kangaroos, wallaroos and wallabies. It is mainly size that determines in which of these three groups an animal is placed; the largest species are known as kangaroos, the smallest as wallabies, and those in between are called wallaroos.

Four species are commonly known as kangaroos. They are: the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus); the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus); the western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus); and the antilopine kangaroo (Macropus antilopinus). There are around 60 other species in the family Macropodidae.

The red kangaroo is not only the largest kangaroo, but also the largest living marsupial.
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Kangaroos travel by hopping rather than by walking or running. This is a surprisingly efficient means of locomotion; kangaroos have special elasticated tendons which store and release energy as the kangaroo hops.

Kangaroos, like many of Australia's most famous animals, are marsupials. Marsupials are 'pouched mammals'. After being born their babies - known as 'joeys' - climb into special pouches in their mothers' bodies. Here the joeys continue to grow for several more months before being able to jump around by themselves.

Type of animal: Mammal, marsupial

Family: Macropodidae (the macropods)

Conservation status: A number of kangaroo species are under threat, in particular the tree kangaroos, many of which are endangered.

Number of species found in Australia: 4 species are commonly known as kangaroos; the family Macropodidae contains around 65 living species

Koala

The koala is one of the best-known of all Australian animals. This arboreal (tree-dwelling) marsupial is found mainly in eastern Australia.

The koala can be identified by its thick grey coat, prominent black nose and fluffy ears. It resembles a small bear, and because of this is sometimes known as the 'koala bear'. However, the koala is not a bear; being a marsupial, it is not related to the true bears in the family Ursidae, which are placental mammals.

Koalas spend most of their lives (up to 20 hours per day) sleeping. Their diet consists mainly of eucalyptus leaves, which contain little in the way of energy.

Despite their cuddly appearance, male koalas can be surprisingly aggressive when competing for territory.
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Kookaburra

If you've ever been in the Australian bush and heard someone laughing, then don't worry, you weren't being made fun of; it was probably just a kookaburra - these Australian birds have a call that sounds like human laughter.

Kookaburras are birds in the subfamily of kingfishers known as the tree kingfishers, or Halcyoninae. The laughing kookaburra, with its famous call, is one of four species of kookaburra.

Kookaburras can be recognized by their large, powerful bills and the flashes of blue in their wings. Despite being members of the kingfisher family, they rarely eat fish, instead targeting a variety of small mammals and reptiles.

You can find out more about the koala here: Koala Facts
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Marsupial Mole

Genus: Dacelo

Type of animal: Birds, members of the kingfisher family Alcedinidae

There are two species of marsupial mole: the northern marsupial mole ( Notoryctes caurinus) and the southern marsupial mole ( Notoryctes typhlops). Both inhabit the deserts of Western Australia.

These small, insectivorous (insect-eating) marsupials spend nearly all of their lives burrowing underground, rarely coming to the surface.
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Marsupial moles have undergone numerous adaptations for this underground lifestyle, including short limbs and powerful claws for digging, and the pouch of the female being rear-facing so as not to fill up with sand. Both species are completely blind.

Despite being marsupials, marsupial moles are very similar in appearance to burrowing placental mammals such as the golden moles of Africa. This is an example of convergent evolution - the process by which unrelated species develop similar characteristics.

(Another example of convergent evolution is the winged flight of both birds and bats.)

Murray Cod

Scientific name: Notoryctes caurinus; Notoryctes typhlops

Type of animal: Mammal, member of the family Notoryctidae

Conservation status: Least Concern

The Murray cod is the largest native Australian freshwater fish species. It inhabits the Murray-Darling basin, an area which covers much of south-eastern Australia.

The species has a dark green mottled upper body and a creamy-white underside. It can weigh over 100 kg and reach lengths of up to 1.8 m long. Its lifespan can exceed 50 years.

The Murray cod is known to be a voracious and aggressive predator, feeding on other fish, ducks, snakes, mice, frogs, and even freshwater turtles.

Today, this impressive fish is seriously threatened by commercial and recreational fishing, habitat destruction, water pollution, and invasive species.

Numbat
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The numbat is a small marsupial with an appearance somewhere between a cat and a rat. It has a pointed face, a long, bushy tail, and a series of distinctive white stripes running along its back.

Numbats use their pointed muzzles to forage in the dirt for termites, which they scoop up with their long tongues.

The numbat has a number of natural predators, but it was the introduction of the red fox by settlers that led to the species becoming endangered. Today, only around 800 of this once widespread animal are left in the wild.

Platypus

The platypus is one of Australia's best-known animals, and also one of the strangest. This distinctive mammal has the bill of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and the feet of an otter. It is also one of the few venomous mammals, with males being armed with a venomous spur on their feet.
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When the remains of a platypus were first brought to London for examination, the experts thought that someone was playing a trick on them!

The platypus belongs to a small group of mammals known as monotremes, whose members lay eggs instead of giving birth to their young. There are only five living monotremes: the platypus, and four species of echidna.

The platypus spends much of its life foraging for food on the beds of streams and rivers. It has electroreceptors in its bill with which it can detect electrical fields produced by the muscles of its prey.

Possum
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Possums are small to medium-sized nocturnal marsupials, most of which are arboreal (tree-dwelling). There are around 70 species of possum in the suborder Phalangeriformes. The group includes the 'gliders'; a group of possums that have evolved the ability to glide from tree to tree.

The Tasmanian pygmy possum ( Cercartetus lepidus) is the world's smallest possum, with a maximum nose to tail length of just 30 cm (12 in.).

The common brushtail possum is the largest possum found in Australia, and the world's third-largest possum, after the two bear cuscuses (which are both found in Indonesia).
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Queensland Lungfish / Barramunda

The Queensland lungfish is a freshwater fish endemic to south-eastern Queensland. It is native to the Mary and Burnett River systems and has been introduced to other Queensland rivers, including the Coomera, Condamine, Albert and Logan.

Type of animal: Marsupial

Suborder: Phalangeriformes

Unlike most other fishes, the Queensland lungfish is able to breathe air. It is one of six living lungfish species, and the only one found in Australia.

Whereas the other five species of lungfish have two lungs and are unable to breathe with their gills, the Queensland lungfish has a single lung, which it uses in addition to its gills.

The species can live for up to 100 years.
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Quokka

Around the size of a domestic cat, the quokka is an herbivorous marsupial that resembles a miniature kangaroo. It is a member of the same family, Macropodidae, as its kangaroo and wallaby cousins.

The quokka is found mainly on islands lying off the southwestern coast of Australia, with only a small population remaining on the mainland. The species suffered greatly as a result of the introduction of the red fox, and was once found across a much wider range.

Quoll

Quolls are small to mid-sized, nocturnal, carnivorous marsupials. There are six species of quoll, four of which-the western, eastern, northern and tiger quoll- are found in Australia. (The other two species-the bronze quoll and the New Guinean quoll-are found in New Guinea.)

Quolls have brown or black coats marked with distinctive pale spots. They prey on small mammals, reptiles and birds.

Both the eastern quoll and the northern quoll are Endangered, while the conservation status of the other two Australian species is Near Threatened.
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Like many of Australia's native animals, quolls suffered greatly with the introduction of non-native predators such as the red fox and domestic cat.

One of the main threats to quolls comes in the form of another non-native animal: the cane toad. Although not predatory, the cane toad is poisonous. Native Australian animals that prey on the amphibian are likely to become ill or die.
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Redback Spider

The redback spider is one of Australia's best-known, and most feared, spiders. The species' notoriety is due to bite of the female, which is extremely painful and whose symptoms can last from several hours to several days. Although extremely uncomfortable, the redback spider's bite is seldom fatal to humans.

Type of animal: Marsupials in the genus Dasyurus

Number of species found in Australia: 4

With a body length of around 1 cm, female redback spiders are over twice the size of males.

The species is black with a contrasting red stripe running along the centre of the back of the abdomen. On the underside of the abdomen is a red 'hourglass' marking.

Redback spiders are widely distributed throughout Australia but are most often found in urban areas. Although their diet consists mainly of insects, they will also eat small birds, lizards, rodents, flies, crickets, and beetles.

You won't find many daddy redback spiders; during reproduction, females practice cannibalism.

Red-Eyed Tree Frog

You can find out more about the quoll here: Quoll Facts

The red-eyed tree frog of Australia is a different species to the South American amphibian of the same name. Both species are in the tree frog family Hylidae.
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The Australian red-eyed tree frog is found in rainforests and other moist forest habitats in eastern Queensland and New South Wales. It spends most of its life in the forest canopy, only coming down to the ground to breed after periods of heavy rain.

This Australian amphibian is bright green with yellow undersides. Its eyes - as its name suggests - are orange-red. The species is not threatened in the wild, and is also kept as a pet.

Sugar Glider

The sugar glider is a gliding possum found not only in Australia, but also on New Guinea and some Indonesian islands.

This small, nocturnal marsupial is equipped with flaps of skin between its arms and legs. These act as wings, allowing the sugar glider to glide from tree to tree.

The omnivorous sugar glider eats insects, leaves and eucalyptus sap. This opportunist hunter may also eat small reptiles and birds when the chance arises.
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Sydney Funnel-Web Spider

Found within a 100-km radius of Sydney, the Sydney funnel-web spider is known for its dangerous bite, which, if untreated, can be fatal. The species' venom is one of the most toxic of any spider.

The Sydney funnel-web spider is shiny dark brown / black, and between 1 and 5 cm in body length.

The species builds web-lined burrows from which it emerges to ambush passing prey. Web 'tripwires' alert the spider to the presence of prey outside of the burrow.
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The spider prefers moist areas with constant humidity. It builds its burrows under logs and rocks, and in ground debris.

The Sydney funnel-web spider feeds mainly on insects such as cockroaches, beetles, and various larvae. It will also occasionally prey on snails, frogs and other small vertebrates.

Tasmanian Devil

The Tasmanian devil is a carnivorous marsupial today found only in Tasmania, but once also found on mainland Australia. Its extinction on the mainland may have been caused by the presence of dingoes introduced by Aboriginal Australians.
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The species is known for its ferocity, particularly when feeding, when it makes a distinctive screeching sound. It is this 'devilish' sound that gives the species its name.

The Tasmanian devil has the strongest bite force in relation to body size of any carnivorous mammal.

Today, the Tasmanian devil's very survival is threatened by the spread of a killer disease known as devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). This highly-contagious disease, which causes sores to break out around the animal's face, has caused a huge decline in the species' population.

Thorny Devil

This fearsome-looking lizard is found in the dry inland regions of Australia. Despite its aggressive appearance, the thorny devil is only dangerous if you happen to be an ant (this little reptile eats several thousand ants every day).
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The thorny devil has a number of adaptations for living in the desert, including grooves in its skin that channel moisture to its mouth, and a false head to confuse predators.

Turtle Frog / Tortoise Frog

The turtle frog (also known as a tortoise frog) is a small frog found in the southwestern corner of Western Australia. It lives in semi-arid areas, and has powerful limbs for burrowing in the sandy soil. The species gets its name from its turtle-like appearance. It has a round, flat body and resembles a turtle without a shell.

The turtle frog is unusual among frogs because it skips the tadpole stage of its development, instead hatching from its egg as a small frog.
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Ulysses Butterfly / Blue Emperor

Ulysses butterflies inhabit the tropical rainforests of north-eastern Australia, New Guinea, the Moluccas, Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands. They are also seen in suburban gardens in Queensland.

Scientific name: Moloch horridus

Type of animal: Reptile; lizard in the family Agamidae

Conservation status: Least Concern

The wingspan of the Ulysses butterfly is around 10 cm. Males have vibrant iridescent blue colour wings with black edges. The blue colouration of the female's wings is duller. The underside of the wings of both sexes is dark-brown, which provides camouflage when the insect is at rest.

Both males and females have the characteristic elongated tail streamers of butterflies in the swallowtail family, Papilionidae.

This striking butterfly species feeds on nectar, in particular that from flowers of the species Lantana camara.
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Males are strongly attracted to the colour blue and will approach man-made objects of this colour.

Wallaby
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Wallabies, like kangaroos, are members of the family Macropodidae. Wallabies are the smallest members of the family, with the smallest species-the dwarf wallaby-reaching just 46 cm (18 in) in total length.

Wallabies are found not just in Australia, but also on New Guinea. These herbivorous marsupials are found in a variety of habitats, including forests and rocky terrain. Rock wallabies have specially adapted, rough-soled feet for gripping onto rocks.

White-Lipped Tree Frog / Giant Tree Frog

The white-lipped tree frog is the world's largest tree frog species, reaching a maximum length of 14 cm (5.5 in.). Bright green in colour, the species has a distinctive white stripe running along its lower lip and extending to above each shoulder.
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The species is not endemic to Australia, and is also present on New Guinea and nearby islands. It lives in a variety of habitats, including rainforests and urban areas. In Australia it is found along the coastal areas of the Cape York Peninsula and the tropics of north-eastern Queensland.

During spring and summer males gather at breeding sites - typically bodies of still water - and emit a loud mating call, which sounds like a dog barking.

Wombat

Type of animal: Mammal, marsupial

Family: Macropodidae

Wombats are dog-sized burrowing animals that are only found in Australia. There are three species of wombat: the common wombat ( Vombatus ursinus), northern hairy-nosed wombat ( Lasiorhinus krefftii), and southern hairy-nosed wombat ( Lasiorhinus latifrons). They are the only members of the family Vombatidae.

Wombats build large burrow systems, digging through the soil with their teeth and their strong claws. They have backwards-facing pouches to prevent dirt from entering while they are digging.

Wombats are mostly nocturnal, but are occasionally active during the day in the winter or on cool, overcast days.
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The northern hairy-nosed wombat is Critically Endangered. With only around 80 mature individuals left in the wild, it is one of the world's rarest mammals.

Yabby (Common)
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The final species in this Australian animals list is the common yabby ( Cherax destructor). The yabby is a crayfish - a freshwater crustacean which resembles a small lobster. It is found in swamps, streams, lakes and rivers throughout much of east Australia.

The yabby has also been introduced to Western Australia, where it is an invasive species, and a potential threat to other native crayfish.

Type of animal: Marsupials, family Vombatidae

Number of species found in Australia: 3

The yabby feeds on algae, plant material and animal remains. It is rated as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Australian Animals List Conclusion

We hope that you have enjoyed reading this list of Australian animals. This is just a tiny section of the many different species found in Australia.

You can find out more about Australia at Wikipedia here. See the Wikipedia page on marsupials here.
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Have we missed anyone? Let us know if your favourite Australian animals aren't on this list and we'll try to include them!
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Australian Animals List With Pictures & Facts: Discover Australia's Wildlife

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Discover the amazing wildlife of Australia; this Australian animals list has pictures and facts on Australia's most famous animals (and many of its lesser-known species). Click on the photos or follow the links to find further information on key species. Download the free question sheet and become an Australian animal expert!