Endemic, Natural Flora
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Wattle
Location-Wattle is native to Australia and can be found just about anywhere in the country. Habitat-It can be found all over Australia from rain forests to arid lands. Wattle thrives in moist and sheltered spots. -flowers in late spring- Adaption-This plant has a very unique structure that has evolved over thousands of years, it has replaced the surface area of the leaf with small leaflets. Predators-Wattle predators include multiple insects, but the main killers are the fire blight beetle, wild pigs and boars. |
Banksia
Location-There are over 170 species of banksia spread out across Australia . Each state has a wide variety of species but Western Australian has the greatest diversity with over 60 species across the state. Habitat-Banksia inhabits the sunny areas with well drained soil in Australia. - in late summer- Adaption-The banksia trees of Australia have adapted several forms of adaptation, including a specialized floral structure the attracts nectivore animals and makes sure the pollen transfer is successful. Predators-The main threats to banksia is insects such as a grasshoppers and termites, also mammals like kangaroos and bandicoots. |
Tasmanian Blue Gum
Location-The Tasmanian Blue Gum is in the southern areas of Australia. It is most commonly found at the bottom of Victoria and on the east side of Tasmania. Habitat-The Tasmanian Blue Gum has several conservation nature reserves in Tasmania and naturally occurs in tall open forests in southeastern Tasmania. Adaption-The most unique thing about the Tasmanian Blue Gum and other eucalyptus trees is that their roots have the ability to adapt to just about any surface. For example they can grapple onto the edge of cliffs. Predators-A fully grown Blue Gum has no predators except for humans logging them, but younger tree's can get ripped up by scavengers and birds. |
Sturts Desert Rose
Location-Sturts Desert Rose thrives in around and the centre of Australia in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales. It also naturally occurs in parts of Western Australia. Habitat-Sturts Desert Rose naturally inhabits stony, rocky slopes in the arid lands of Australia. Adaptation-This plant has several advanced plant adaptations. The most effective adaption is that the rose contains gossypol, this substance is toxic to animals which makes its chances of surviving much higher. Predators-The main threats to the Sturts Desert Rose Rose are kangaroo's and eagles. |
Endemic, Natural FaunaPlatypus
Location-Platypuses are found in eastern Australia mainly in New South Wales and Queensland. Habitat-The platypus can be found around lakes and rivers, in deep burrows that they make for a home Adaption-The male of the species has adapted a highly useful defense system over millions of years. The male platypus has a venomous spur inside both hind legs, it is about 15 milometers in length. Predators-The introduced species of the red fox has been known to hunt platypuses as well as the native species such as dingo's goanna's and snake's. Amazing facts
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Echidna
Location-Echidnas are found just about anywhere in Australia. Habitat-This species inhabits a range of areas from desert, rain forest and bush land to suburban backyards. Echidna's can even live in snow. Adaption-The echidnas fossil used skeleton has been studied by scientists and suggests that echidnas split from platypuses over 100 million years ago. Predators-Grown echidnas have virtually no predators because their spines protect them, but snakes, goannas and foxes sign into echidna burrows and eat their young. |
Tawney Frogmouth Owl
Location-The Tawney Frogmouth is found throughout Australia, including Tasmania. Habitat-This species can be found in most habitats apart from deserts and dense rainforests, but thrives in woodland forests and urban areas. Adaptation-Because the Tawney Frogmouth is nocturnal during the day it camouflages on a tree branch and appears to be part of the tree. Predators-The Tawney Frogmouth has few predators but urban cats and dogs have been known to kill them. |
The Spotted-tailed Quoll
Location-The Spotted-tailed Quoll can be found up the coast of New South Wales and Victoria, in the north east of Queensland and all throughout Tasmania. Habitat-This quolls habitat includes wet or dry forests and woodlands. Adaption-The Spotted-tailed Quoll has irregular white spots on its back and tail to allow it to camouflage with trees at night. Predators-The main threat to quolls is foxes and Tasmanian devils, these animals all get into fights over dead carcasses. |
Goanna
Location-Goanna's can be found all over Australia. Habitat-These animals have been known to live in holes they dig in moist or dry forests. Adaption-Some goannas have evolved to having bacteria in their saliva and when the bite their prey it gets infections around the bite and over a few days it gets very sick and eventually dies. Predators-Large goanna's are rarely killed by predators but there young can often be eaten by large birds of prey. |