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Animal Wonders

A brush tail wallaby sunning itself on a rock ledge; a greater glider launching from the eucalyptus canopy; a startled wombat trundling from your sight - this is the real Australia.

While our landscape is frequently peppered with signs of European settlement - the cattle, the sheep, the rabbits - this region showcases a stunning array of native wildlife, still living in its natural environment.

The rugged nature of some of the forests, such as the Deua National Park around 30 kilometres south west of Batemans Bay in NSW, means some mammal populations have been largely undisturbed by humans.

REMEMBER: The majority of Australian native animals are nocturnal: either exclusively or largely night-time active. You may still spot one of these species during the day if you're lucky, though you can be sure the animal will be just as surprised as you!

WHAT CAN I SEE? Following are just some of the amazing mammals you're most likely to see during the day. We've organised them according to the different habitats in the region.

WET FOREST/RAINFOREST SPECIES 

Common Brush Tail Possum
Thanks to its diverse diet this possum is widespread. It has adapted to farmland, towns, and - to the annoyance of many a householder - the domestic house and garden!

Ring-Tail Possum: a small critter (700 to 900 grams) which passes partly digested gum leaf through its gut twice for high fuel efficiency.

Greater Glider: doesn’t move far from home (3 hectares), a selective eater which takes time to detoxify the non user friendly gum leaf.

Pygmy Glider
Gliding is a very efficient, energy saving way of moving around. A favourite dinner for the Powerful Owl.

RIVER LINE SPECIES

Platypus
So unique and unusual European naturalists considered this animal a fraud. This industrious little fellow is also shy, so a sighting is a rare treat.

Water Rat
A rather large rat that can be spotted around sub-alpine streams and farm dams; he distinguishes himself by his plentiful whiskers!

Swamp Rat: this chap is a good indicator of a healthy environment; so smile when you see one – it’s a good sign.

Swamp Wallaby
A shy animal that is often glimpsed when disturbed, as they quickly exit the area.

FOREST FLOOR SPECIES 

Wombat
Natures industrious engineer and sapper builds elaborate burrows for his home - at times even under under sheds and houses! In spite of its cuddly look, this powerhouse prefers to live alone as an adult.

Wombats are rarely seen during the day unless they have 'the mange' (a disease that blinds).

Echidna: lovely, but prickly…with a mesmerising waddle of a walk! Eats ants and termites, but prefers termites. The echidna is a very distant relative of the platypus.

Echidna

Bandicoot: the long-nosed variety is the most common in the region and can be seen mainly at night foraging around for food.

Potoroo: once common, this "rat kangaroo" is now endangered. 

Bush Rat: this little mammal is tricky to spot as they are mainly out and about at night.

Tiger Quoll
Sadly, this beautiful animal is now on the threatened species list. Named for the deep growling and loud explosive spitting it exhibits during the mating season, the quoll has gained a fearsome ‘tiger’ like reputation.

DRY WOODLAND SPECIES

Red Necked Wallaby: one of the largest in the wallaby family; can be distinguished by its black nose and a wash of red fur across the shoulders.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo: a majestic animal that deserves to be on our Commonwealth’s Coat of Arms.

Further reading: H. Tyndale – Biscoe 'Australian Mammals'

CAUTION!!! SNAKE SAFETY 
Snakes are best avoided at all costs. Don't be tempted to try and kill one, they are rarely aggressive – unless cornered, trapped or attacked. If you give them the chance, they’ll move away from you: best to give them warning of your approach by banging a walking-stick on the ground as you walk – and best to wear pants and boots, not shorts and sandals.

Five snakes to avoid...

Death Adder
Rarely encountered, but highly venomous and potentially fatal.

Broad Headed Snake: rarely encountered.

Tiger Snake
Quite widespread; one of the deadliest snakes in the world.

Brown Snake: widespread, a particularly aggressive snake.

Red-Bellied Black Snake
Most widespread. Venomous, but will generally try and avoid an encounter with you.

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